Abstract
One of the challenges of evaluating existing traditional farming systems is to combine local
knowledge and modern scientific methods and terminology. This requires an evaluation of indigenous
soil classification in modern terms. This paper focuses on an indigenous soil classification
system developed by local farmers on the island of Bellona, Solomon Islands. The definitions of the
different soil types are described and the principles of the classification system and the applicability
of ethnopedology in soil surveys are discussed. Based on interviews with about 20 per cent of the
farmers on the island as well as standard soil chemical and physical determinations on main soil
types, an evaluation of the soil types for cultivation of various crops is carried out. The soils on
Bellona are developed on oolitic or clayey phosphate-rich deposits forming the basis for the
agriculture production on the island. The Bellonese soil classification system is mainly based on the
physical properties of the humus-containing top layer. Subsoil layers are only used for classification
if they are very close to the surface and may be mixed with the topsoil. Results show a general
agreement among farmers, who perceive the same four out of seven soil types as highly useful for
cultivation and rank these soil types similarly according to their suitability for different crops such
as yam, watermelon, cassava and sweet potato. It is concluded that the indigenous soil classification
is in line with the soil production potential and useful for land evaluation on Bellona.
knowledge and modern scientific methods and terminology. This requires an evaluation of indigenous
soil classification in modern terms. This paper focuses on an indigenous soil classification
system developed by local farmers on the island of Bellona, Solomon Islands. The definitions of the
different soil types are described and the principles of the classification system and the applicability
of ethnopedology in soil surveys are discussed. Based on interviews with about 20 per cent of the
farmers on the island as well as standard soil chemical and physical determinations on main soil
types, an evaluation of the soil types for cultivation of various crops is carried out. The soils on
Bellona are developed on oolitic or clayey phosphate-rich deposits forming the basis for the
agriculture production on the island. The Bellonese soil classification system is mainly based on the
physical properties of the humus-containing top layer. Subsoil layers are only used for classification
if they are very close to the surface and may be mixed with the topsoil. Results show a general
agreement among farmers, who perceive the same four out of seven soil types as highly useful for
cultivation and rank these soil types similarly according to their suitability for different crops such
as yam, watermelon, cassava and sweet potato. It is concluded that the indigenous soil classification
is in line with the soil production potential and useful for land evaluation on Bellona.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Journal | Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography |
| Volume | 31 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Pages (from-to) | 85-99 |
| Number of pages | 15 |
| ISSN | 0129-7619 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - Mar 2010 |