SUMMARY The soil spectra, based on the higher levels of soil classification according to De Bakker & Schelling (1966), are not attuned to semi‐natural vegetations in the study area, consisting of meadows. Only very general relations between soil‐ and vegetation spectra were found. It appeared that ground water fluctuation ranges were discriminating factors, the soil profile being especially related to water movements. Impermeable layers are very important in otherwise homogenous soil units. Ripening processes in different grades, recent or in the past, caused irreversible alterations and influenced the ground water regime. The picture of the relationship between soil and vegetation is often confused by former agricultural use affecting both the soil profile and the plant communities.