In the context of soil capability subclasses, which type is primarily defined by its inherent soil characteristics?

The concept of soil capability subclasses refers to the classification of soils based on their ability to support various land uses, particularly in agriculture. Each subclass has specific characteristics that affect its usability and productivity.

Moisture limitations are directly related to the inherent properties of the soil itself, such as texture, structure, and drainage capacity. These factors determine how well a soil can retain water and provide moisture to plants. For instance, a soil with high clay content may hold moisture but could have poor drainage, leading to waterlogged conditions. Conversely, sandy soils may drain well but do not retain moisture effectively. Therefore, moisture limitations are fundamentally defined by these intrinsic characteristics of the soil.

In contrast, other choices mention factors that may influence soil capability but are not inherently defined by the soil's basic characteristics. For example, consolidated bedrock refers to the geological formation beneath the soil, stoniness involves the presence of stones which can be an external influence on soil use, and cumulative adverse soil conditions relate to multiple factors affecting soil health over time. These aspects can affect agricultural productivity but do not stem from an inherent characteristic of the soil itself like moisture limitations do.