Past, present and future of the Hungarian classification of salt-affected soils

As salt-affected soils (SAS) are widespread in Hungary, several classification schemes have been proposed for them during the last centuries. These soils are inherently related to soil salinity/sodicity/alkalinity and the consequential hydrophysical properties of the soil; therefore, they present severe abiotic stress for plants and animals. Based on the approach of the assessment of the soil, such as ecological conditions, need of reclamation, afforestation, etc, there are several concepts for the classification of SAS. Historically, the following schemes were used for SAS classification in Hungary: geomorphological; plant sociologic; based on the values of salt/soda concentration for direct soil utilization; for the purpose of afforestation; for the reclamation; soil genetic ones based on general chemical principles; soil genetic classification based on profile characteristics (current “official” classification). Several classification schemes are still in use. Elements of four classification schemes can be found in the current system used to denote SAS in Hungary. Meanwhile, from the currently used major world classification schemes none have been spread so far in the country, because the “official” Hungarian genetic soil classification system meets the requirements of the users of SAS. The categories of FAO-UNESCO schemes (including the WRB) seem to be easy-to-apply to the SAS in Hungary, and most of them would fall into few clearly understandable categories. On the other hand, the Hungarian SAS would fall into many categories of the SOIL TAXONOMY. The future of the classification of SAS in Hungary is forecasted as evolving parallel to the development of that in neighbouring countries, which have large areas of similar SAS. It would evidently lead to keeping the same soil types as used at present as classification units, but with the addition of quantitative, unambiguous diagnostic properties based on laboratory and field data.