In 1976 the working group was founded by the German Soil Science Society at the request of Prof. Dr. Mückenhausen. The working group was authorized to stratify the humus forms systematically und to train students and soil surveyors. The first chairman was Ecke von Zezschwitz. At present the group is leaded by Christine Wachendorf (University of Kassel).
The main aim of the working group is to further develop the german stratification of humus forms based on a pedogenetic background. Basis are diagnostic soil horizons and sequences of soil horizons of humus layer and mineral topsoil. The state of the art is documented on our homepage: www.humusformen.de.
The working group is open to every member of the German Soil Science Society. The group is co-operating with the German Workig Group on Soil Sytematics, the German Working Group on Soil Surveying (guidelines for soil description).
Every member of the German Soil Science Society interested in humus forms is welcome to attend our working group.