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 working group is open for interested soil scientists. The working group cooperates with the working group of soil systematics and the ad-hoc-AG-Boden (Bodenkundliche Kartieranleitung) and Arbeitsgemeinschaft Forstliche Standorts- und Vegetationskunde (AFSV)

Rainer Baritz, Günther Trolldenier and Ulfert Graefe
discussing grassland humusforms