Description and Classification of some Soils of the Al-Jazeera Plateau in Anbar Governorate, Iraq

Abstract The Al-Jazeera Plateau was chosen for the study within Anbar Governorate-Iraq. It is geographically they are limited in coordinates between latitudes 3704000 and 3739000 N, and between longitudes 300000 and 360000E, with an area of 116491.61 hectares. due to its importance from the production side and its dependence on well water, and the water of the Euphrates River for irrigation its lands. A semi-detailed survey was carried out using the free-transects method, which included 45 augar holes and the discover of 14 pedons based on the variation in land elevations. Their morphological, physical and chemical characteristics were studied, then they were classified according to USA soil classification to the sub-great group level and completed to the series level, in accordance with Al-Agade’s proposal for Iraqi soils. Results showed that the most important factors in the formation of the soil are the parent material and topography, with limited other factors affecting, the formation processes prevailing in the region. The predominance of Aridisols order was identified in the region, and the limited Entisols order which was identified in small areas in the region. Eleven soil series were identified, two of which were within the alluvial soils.