Compare it to the soil picture above. Note the differences in color and number of horizons. An ultisol from Florida. Photo by Dr. Ray Weil, University of Maryland. A soil's profile depends on its age and its conditions of formation.
Soil profile is the primary criteria for soil classification.
Soils can be compared in terms of their relative development. Relative development of a series of soils allows their arrangement in a soil chronosequence . A soil chronosequence gives information about the history of the landscape. The relative development of the soils in a chronosequence tells the investigator about the climate and depositional history of the area. Water in Soil F irst, a short discussion of water.