the lowest or most basic category of the US system of soil taxonomy; a conceptualized class of soil bodies (polypedons) that have limits and ranges more restrictive than all higher taxa —note 1. soil series are commonly used to name dominant or codominant polypedons represented on detailed soil maps —note 2. soil series serve as a major vehicle to transfer soil information and research knowledge from one soil area to another This definition last updated 10/07/2008