Acknowledgements
A large number of people over a long period of time greatly assisted in the development of the Australian Soil Classification. A particular debt is owed to all State and Territory organisations and their soil surveyors who made possible numerous and informative field trips with Ray Isbell, and who contributed constructive comments on the various drafts of the publication and made available a great deal of unpublished data. The West Australian, Victorian, New South Wales and Riverina branches of the Australian Society of Soil Science organised trips and discussion groups to test earlier versions of the scheme.
Special tribute is paid to the late Ron McDonald of the Queensland Department of Primary Industries. From the inception of the project until his untimely death in 1989, Ron was a never-failing source of help and inspiration. It was a matter of great regret for Ray that Ron did not live to see many of his ideas and enthusiasm come to fruition. Bernie Powell, then a member of the same Department, ably carried on Ron's role and contributed many useful ideas that greatly improved the Classification.
A number of people deserve special mention. George Hubble and Cliff Thompson, previously with CSIRO Division of Soils in Brisbane, provided the basis for the classification of the Organosols and Podosols respectively. David Maschmedt, James Hall and Bruce Billing, then members of Primary Industries, South Australia, are thanked for their considerable help with the Calcarosols and other soils. Ray's long-time colleague in CSIRO, Graham Murtha, was an invaluable sounding board for Ray and was a constructive critic at all times. He was largely responsible for suggesting and organising the coding system, assisting with database activities, and helping to establish computer files and search programs. Warwick McDonald and Courtney Frape (CSIRO) provided database support and assistance with format and coding. Some ideas on layout were also obtained from the New Zealand Soil Classification (Hewitt 1992). The original manuscript was produced with assistance from Wendy Strauch and Helen Rodd (CSIRO, Townsville). Approximately 20 referees read all or parts of the original publication and provided many helpful suggestions to improve the text. More information about the early history of the ASC and contributors to the earlier editions is provided in appendix 6.
With the third edition, the Working Group is indebted to a number of people who assisted in its preparation. In particular, working group member Noel Schoknecht (WA) provided the detailed submission and many working drafts for an Arenosols Soil Order. Ted Griffin (WA), Ben Harms (QLD), David Morand (NSW), David Maschmedt (SA) and Brian Lynch (NT) organised database testing and Peter Wilson and Linda Gregory (CSIRO) assisted with the preparation of distribution maps. Stephen Cattle (University of Sydney) and Andrew Biggs (QLD) willingly provided assistance with ensuring consistency of terminology with the Australian Soil and Land Survey Field Handbook (NCST 2009). The Australian Soil and Land Survey Field Handbook is referred to in this publication as the Field Handbook (the Field Handbook is also colloquially known as the Yellow book due to the colour of its cover).
Professor Rob Fitzpatrick (University of Adelaide) contributed data and conceptual advice on mineral sands and Rob Moreton (TAS) provided supporting information on shallow peats. CSIRO is thanked for supporting the development of the Australian Soil Classification over a long period.
Soil Science Australia is thanked for its support, including hosting the web version of this edition.
Bernie Powell and Noel Schoknecht, assisted by Ben Harms, edited the new edition.
Noel Schoknecht prepared the text and website for publication.