The concept of a soil map and its types. Soil world map Soil world map

Urbanization and human production activity in Moscow are becoming predominant over natural factors of soil formation, forming specific groups of soils and a complex soil cover under new environmental conditions. This process is also aggravated by the significantly dissected relief of the territory of Moscow, which creates differences in the drained conditions and the nature of moisture in certain areas of the city. The complexity of the soil cover is also due to the difference in the ages of the territories - from the ancient city center with the formation of soils on a powerful cultural layer to new areas of residential construction, where soil formation develops on fresh bulk or mixed soils. The contrast and heterogeneity of the soil cover is also due to the complex history of the development of the city, the mix of buried historical soils of different ages and cultural layers.

Some of the most characteristic features of the structure of the soil cover of the city, in contrast to the soil cover of the environs of Moscow, are:

• mosaic, horizontal and vertical heterogeneity of the soil cover as a result of local anthropogenic impacts during the formation of the city;
• fragmentation of the soil cover distribution, its discontinuity (discreteness); in Moscow, as in any large city, there is a spatial change of soils, soil-like bodies and soils with building foundations, communications, quarries and sealed soils under roads and asphalt-concrete pavements;
• artificial boundaries between soil contours and the geometric rectangular shape of soil contours; contour boundaries are largely determined by the location of roads and buildings.

In Moscow, the natural soil cover has been destroyed in most of the city. Sod-podzolic soils have survived only as small islands in urban forests (Losiny Ostrov, Fili-Kuntsevo, etc.). In parks and forest parks, bog and podzolic-bog soils, alluvial floodplain soils of varying degrees of disturbance, have been preserved. The modified variants of the listed soils (urbo-soils) combine the undisturbed middle and lower parts of the profile and the anthropogenically disturbed upper layers. Soils differ in the nature of formation (bulk, mixed), in humus and gley content, in the degree of disturbed profile, in the number and composition of inclusions (concrete, glass, toxic waste, etc.) and other indicators.

Most urban soils (urban soils) are characterized by the absence of genetic soil horizons; The soil profiles combine layers of artificial origin of different color and thickness, as evidenced by the sharp transitions between them. In a large city, the degree of openness of the territory depends not only on the degree of urbanization, that is, on the age and intensity of urban construction, but also on the method of land use. The sealing process is becoming one of the factors that further complicates the structure of the soil cover in the city. The area of ​​open unsealed plots varies greatly in different areas of the city - from 3-5% in the center to 70-80% in its outskirts - and depending on the type of economic use. The smallest open surface areas are in industrial zones (80-90% of the area is sealed). The lands of the natural complex and agricultural zone are sealed by 10-20%. An intermediate position is occupied by land under residential buildings, which, in turn, can vary in the degree of sealing from 20 to 75%.

When compiling the map, the modern classification of urban soils and the national classification of natural soils were applied. The map shows four large soil groups in color: the soil cover of a hilly, gently-ridged watershed; the soil cover of the ancient flat water-glacial plain; the soil cover of the above-floodplain slope terraces of the r. Moscow and the soil cover of the floodplain of the river. Moscow and its tributaries.

In addition, on the map in each of the four groups, the contours show the modifications of the soil cover depending on the functional use of the urban area. For example, there are differences in the soil cover of a hilly, gently sloping watershed, which is formed on moraine and mantle loams, partially covered by a sandy cultural layer. In the residential area, humus urban soils are widespread, weak and medium-thick, and up to 30-40% of its area is occupied by sealed soils (ecranozems). In industrial zones, soils are represented by chemically contaminated industrial soils on bulk and imported soils, urban soils are partially preserved, peat-bog soils are widespread in depressions, large areas are occupied by sealed soils. Intrusems are fragmented in small areas (around some gas stations), in areas of new buildings - soil-like bodies (replantozems). The most preserved soil cover is presented in urban forests and forest parks, where sod-podzolic and sod-urbopodzolic soils are common on moraine and cover loams, and in depressions - peat-bog and sod-podzolic gley and gley soils.

I. The soil cover (SP) of the hilly, gently sloping watershed is formed on moraine and mantle loams, partially covered by a sandy cultural layer, and occupies about 24% of the city's territory. This PP is common in the southern, southwestern and partly in the northern parts of the city.

In the residential area (14%), poorly and medium-humus and weakly medium-thick urbanozems are widespread. In the central part of the city, urban soils are formed on the cultural layer, large areas are occupied by sealed soils - ecranozems.

In the industrial zone (5%) soils are represented by chemically contaminated industrial soils on bulk and imported soils, urban soils are partially preserved, peat-bog soils are common in depressions. Intrusems are fragmented in small areas (around some gas stations), in areas of new buildings - replantozems.

The best preserved soil cover is presented in urban forests and forest parks (5%), where sod-podzolic and sod-urbopodzolic soils are common on moraine and cover loams, and in depressions - peat-bog and sod-podzolic gley and gley soils.

II. The soil cover of the ancient flat water-glacial plain, composed of sandy-sandy loam, light loamy deposits, occupies about 27% of the city's territory. This PP is distributed in small areas both in the northern and southern parts of the city.

In the residential zone (17%), urbanozems of low and medium humus, medium and thick, are formed on fluvioglacial sands and sandy loams, as well as on bulk, imported and mixed soils. In the city center, urban soils develop on a sandy cultural layer. Ecranozems are widely represented. On the territory of new buildings, replantozems are formed, and intrusems are formed near some gas stations.

In the industrial zone (6%), complexes of industrial soils and urban soils are widespread, depending on the degree of chemical soil contamination. With the deterioration of natural drainage in small flat closed depressions on flat leveled areas, the level of soil and groundwater rises and soil flooding occurs, semi-hydromorphic soils are common: gley varieties of urban soils and peat-bog soils.

Natural sod-podzolic and disturbed sod-urbopodzolic soils (4%) are confined to urban forests (for example, Losiny Ostrov) and forest parks.

III. The soil cover of the above-floodplain slope terraces of the r. Moscow is formed on sandy-sandy loam deposits, in places covered by mantle loams, occupies a significant part of the city (32%). The relief, and, accordingly, the soil cover of the above-floodplain terraces has been greatly changed: the territory has been planned, and most of the gully-ravine network has been filled up. With the relief dissected by gullies and ravines, it is in this part of the city that landslide processes become more active and soil erosion develops. As a result of pruning and backfilling of slopes, unregulated runoff of rain and melt waters, the area of ​​eroded soils has increased in the last decade.

In the residential area (20%), urban soils are widespread with low and medium humus, medium and high power. In the areas of new buildings, replantozems and thin urbanozems are formed. In the center of the city, ecranozems are widely represented on the cultural layer.

In the zone of industrial enterprises (7%), highly chemically contaminated soils are widespread - industrial soils and intrusions in combination with urban soils; here, sealing of the day surface of the territory is practiced.

In this part of the city, the territories of a natural complex with natural soils (5%) under forest parks (Vorobyovy Gory, Neskuchny Sad, Filevsky, etc.) have been preserved. These are sod-podzolic and, to varying degrees, disturbed sod-urbopodzolic soils, partially washed away and old arable. The natural complex has preserved natural soil combinations: combinations of automorphic sod-podzolic soils of watersheds, semi-hydromorphic sod-podzolic gley soils of gentle slopes and hydromorphic boggy soils of depressions and depressions.

IV. The soil cover of the floodplain of the river. Moscow and its tributaries (7% of the area) have undergone significant changes in connection with the radical reconstruction of the relief. Here, ravines and gullies were mainly filled up, opening into the valley of the river and its tributaries, and part of the floodplain was either flooded by the waters of overlying reservoirs, or raised above the water level by adding soils to 3-4 meters. A special soil cover is formed here, which, unfortunately, is poorly studied.

Most of the floodplain (about 4% of the city's territory) is built up, on it urbanozems and replantozems are formed on bulk and imported soils, often gleyed and swampy.

Significant areas are still preserved under industrial zones with developed gley and boggy industrial soils and replantozems, as well as under dumps, wastelands and filtration fields.

Alluvial sod and meadow soils of the valleys have been preserved mainly on the outskirts of the city, since the soil cover of the valleys of small rivers is rapidly subject to destruction and fragmentation, especially in areas surrounded by built-up areas.

Soils of aerodromes.

Necrozems (soils included in the complex of city cemeteries).

Agricultural arable soils are confined to the slopes and bottoms of small rivers, tributaries of the Moscow and Yauza rivers (Moscow Agricultural Academy named after Timiryazev, Botanical Gardens, Dolgoprudnenskaya agrochemical experimental station, arable lands of state farms within the city, private farms, etc.). In total, about 5% of the developed and cultivated arable soils, including agrourbanozems (cultural soils), are distributed on the territory of Moscow on various relief elements.

Photo 5 from the presentation "Soil" to the lessons of the surrounding world on the topic "Soil"

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The soil

"Air around the world" - Let's preserve the Earth's atmosphere. I breathe, and, therefore, I live ... The air that we breathe. Warm air lifts us to the clouds. Air is a mixture of gases. Fuzzies. Air keeps warm well. On Triton. The world. Can you see the air? Protect the forest and the ocean!

Soils - Soils and soil resources. What does soil mean "mirror of the landscape"? Who was the founder of the new science "Soil Science"? Soil types in Russia. What factors influence soil formation? Soil profile Meadow felt, What does soil fertility depend on? Knowledge check. What is soil? Fill in the table "Soil types".

"Protection of nature" - And small fish ... And our green forest. Why did You arise in the eternal course, Which the mind could not determine. LET'S SAVE THE NATURE Completed by: Kochetygov Ilya, 5 "B". Beauty ... Let's protect and preserve our nature! And man without nature? ... Nature can exist without man, Man! I would like to be transported here ...

"Multicolored rainbow" - And the seven-colored arc overlooks the meadows. Know, Hunter. Why is the rainbow multicolored? Where. Colors of rainbow. Each. The sun is shining and laughing, And the rain is pouring on the Earth. Desires. Is sitting. Pheasant. The work of the primary school teacher Kucherova I.V. The sun's rays, falling into raindrops in the sky, break up into multi-colored rays.

"Children and Nature" - Omul. Birds should not only be loved -. There are few such beautiful creations of nature on the planet as sacred Baikal! Yellowfly. The guys actively participated in all environmental activities. Writer Valentin Rasputin about Baikal. Eco-project of the 4th class “The nature of the native land. Eco-project 2-3 class. "Secrets of the forest dwellers".

"Inhabitants of the soil" - Medvedka. Ground beetle. The soil. May beetle larva. A. Teterin. There is a wonderful storeroom on Earth. Ciliates. A bucket of potatoes in a wonderful pantry turns into twenty buckets. The shovel said, "Earth to dig." The boots said, "Earth to walk." Mole. Woodlice. Scolopendra. And people said: "Earth to live!".

There are 14 presentations in total

The contribution of V.A. Kovdy in soil mapping

A significant contribution to soil mapping was made by V.A. Kovda... He, like I.P. Gerasimov and many other soil scientists, visited many countries for scientific purposes, published a large number of articles on the soils of certain regions of the world. On his initiative, a project for the creation of a "World Map of Soils" was adopted, on the basis of cooperation between scientists and specialists from 65 countries. In 1975 V.A. Kovda and E.V. Lobova et al. Compiled a world soil map on a scale of 1: 10 million. The legend to it is based on the genetic and geochemical principle.

The development of the FAO / UNESCO Soil Map of the World at a scale of 1: 5 million was undertaken on the recommendation of the International Society of Soil Science (ISP) at its seventh Congress in Madison (USA, 1960). Work began in 1961 / /.

The first version of the Soil World Map was presented to the IX Congress of the MNP in Adelaide (Australia) in 1968, which approved the legend scheme, definitions of soil units and the proposed nomenclature. The first sheets of the Map relating to South America were published already in 1971, the last two sheets out of a total of nineteen sheets were published in 1981, i.e. this work was carried out over a twenty-year period. More than 300 soil scientists from different parts of the world took part in its preparation.

This work, the product of international cooperation, bridged the knowledge gap about the world's soil resources. Widespread use has facilitated the comparison and correlation of soils, an understanding of soil conditions and their potential, has provided a useful tool for planning agricultural and economic development.

When compiling the Soil Map of the World, the following tasks were set:

Give the first estimate of the world's soil resources;

Provide scientific grounds for transferring experience between areas with the same natural conditions;

Promote the introduction of generally acceptable soil classification and nomenclature;

Establish common grounds for more detailed research in developing areas;

Create a foundational document for education, science and development activities;

Strengthen international contacts in the field of soil science.

The global inventory of the world's soil resources has been especially valuable in an era when countries have become increasingly interconnected in obtaining food and other agricultural products. There has been international concern about land degradation issues, the imbalance between production capacity and the carrying capacity of the land in relation to the population. The Soil World Map has served as the basis for defining development policies and optimizing land use on a global scale through the development of the World Map of Desertification (FAO / UNESCO / WMO, 1977), the methodology for assessing soil degradation (FAO / UNEP / Unesco, 1979) and the study of the potential bearing capacity of lands in population in the developing world (G. Higgins et al., 1982). The Soil World Map made it possible to highlight the world zones of agro-ecological equivalence, determining the suitability of different regions for the production of various agricultural products. This study laid the scientific foundations for the transfer of experience between areas with similar natural conditions and for establishing complementarity(complementary structures fit together like a key to a lock) territories with different production potentials.

Control questions

1. Why is soil mapping considered a "driving belt" between theoretical soil science and the practice of soil use in the national economy?

2. What was the continuity between K.D. Glinka and L.I. Prasolov in soil science?

3. What soil maps were compiled by L.I. Prasolov and under his leadership?

4. On the basis of what L.I. Prasolov calculated the land resources of the USSR and the world?

5. What new subtype of chernozem was established by L.I. Prasolov?

6. In what work did L.I. Prasolov formulated the definition of soil type?

7. What stage in the development of genetic soil science is considered by L.I. Prasolova?

8. What three-volume edition edited by L.I. Prasolov was published in 1939 and what is it dedicated to?

9. Describe the research and organizational activities of L.I. Prasolova.

10. How was the contribution of L.I. Prasolova in soil science?

11. In what areas of soil science, in addition to soil cartography, did I.P. Gerasimov?

12. What soil-cartographic works of Gerasimov were published in 1964 in the physical and geographical atlas of the world?

13. What is the essence of Gerasimov's teaching on soil-climatic facies? How many soil-climatic facies are allocated to them on the territory of the USSR?

14. What was established by Gerasimov new in the doctrine of the vertical zoning of Dokuchaev?

15. What method was used by Gerasimov to estimate the age of soils?

16. Describe the research, teaching and organizational activities of I.P. Gerasimov.

17. How was the contribution of I.P. Gerasimov to science?

18. What is the contribution of V.A. Kovdy in soil mapping?

19. When did the development of the Soil World Map start?

20. How many sheets of the Soil Map of the World were published and for what period?

21. What tasks were set when compiling the Soil Map of the World?

22. What opportunities did this Map give to the world community?

With the help of this soil map of the Moscow region, you can see with great accuracy what type of soil is in your chosen place. For example, when choosing a place to buy a summer cottage, you can check if there are peat bogs nearby, which are a constant hotbed of peat fires and smoke, how fertile the soil is in a potential site, and whether it will require additional investments to improve it. An explanatory note is attached to the map.

Map compiled in 1985. Scale 1: 300000. Responsible editor of the map: Anatoly Ivanovich Satalkin. Special content for the soil map was compiled and developed by S.V. Mitkov and N.V. Litvinov under the leadership of A.V. Tsyganova and A.K. Ogleznev (Central State Design Institute for Land Management) with the participation of N.V. Loshakova (Institute of Soil Science and Photosynthesis, USSR Academy of Sciences). Editorial board of the series of bast soil maps: A.Z. Rodin - chairman of the editorial board, M.I. Andryunova - executive secretary, A.A. Zhirov, N.V. Komov, E.P. Kulikov, V.P. Sotnikov, Yu.V. Fedorin, I.N. Stepanov, L.L. Shishov.

State Agro-Industrial Committee of the RSFSR, All-Russian Industrial Design Association for the Use of Land Resources, Central State Design Institute for Land Management. The map was prepared for publication by the Production Cartographic Association "Cartography" in 1988 and published in 1989. Editor N.P. Fetisov. Technical editors N.P. Belova and S.N. Zubko. The circulation of the card was 1000 copies, the price was 1 rub. Administrative division is given for 1987.

The soil map of the Moscow Region is one of eleven maps of the Central District, compiled using a unified technology and published by the PKO "Cartography (Moscow Region) and the Minsk Map Factory of the Main Directorate for Geodesy and Cartography under the Sov. Min. USSR during 1987-1990. Also similar maps are known: Bryansk Oblast 1: 200000 1988, Vladimirskaya 1: 200000 1987, Ivanovskaya 1: 200000 1988, Kaluga 1: 200000 1989, Kostromskaya 1: 300000 1990, Ryazanskaya 1: 200000 1988, Smolenskaya 1: 200000 1989, Tverskoy 1: 400000 1990, Tula 1: 200000 1987 and Yaroslavl region 1: 300000 1991

After the preparation and binding of this map for display on the site, the executive editor of this and other maps of this series contacted us: Anatoly Ivanovich, and this is what he briefly said: " For this soil map and the maps listed in the information to it, of which I am also the editor-in-chief, cartographic bases in a certain trapezium (Gauss-Kruger Equal-Angle) were prepared by the state order. They were marked with special cartographic information with which the same factories worked again. Then these were very lengthy processes, both regime and production. Special information was created over two decades in the mode of planned state survey work. And these maps were compiled by soil scientists who participated in these works. The compilation and publication of maps was also carried out in accordance with the scientific, methodological and regulatory documentation approved at the federal level for use in exploration and cartographic work. This map was created at the state level.".

The soil content of the maps was developed by soil scientists working and living on the territory of the listed administrative regions based on materials of a larger (1: 50,000 and 1: 10,000) scale as of 1985-1986. Under the strict regime conditions of that time, the cartographic base was heavily unloaded. Modern published topographic maps of the listed territories at a scale of 1: 200000 and even more so 1: 100000 at that time it was not possible to present it in the open press.

The compilers used a little trick. The lines obtained by transforming isohypsum on closed topographic maps at a scale of 1: 100000 (1 km in one centimeter) were used as the boundaries of the soil sections. Stepanov "Morphoisograf" line of zero curvature separating all rises and falls in the direction along the thalweg (rivers, etc.). To distinguish the boundaries in the perpendicular direction, the traditional division of the territory by isohypsum into watershed areas, slopes and their parts, terraces above the floodplain, floodplains and their parts were used.

We must pay tribute to the direct compilers, named on the published maps, for their enormous, noble work on "shoveling" all large-scale maps on the entire territory of the regions, including forest and peat funds. If you transform the scale of soil maps in accordance with the published topographic maps, you can ensure their very tight "binding".

We can say with confidence: it will not be possible to draw up similar maps with the same detail of soil information in the next 30-50 years, because in the perestroika 90s, not only the service of regular continuous soil surveys in the system of the Ministry of Agriculture was destroyed, later Gosagroprom, Roskomzem, Rosreestr, Rosstroy , but also most of the primary materials of the soil survey. At the time of publication, soil maps favorably differed in their detail and information content even from map fragments for similar territories, which caused the displeasure of some leading scientific colleagues - luminaries who did not get on this "train".

Symbols

Thanks to its fertility, it gives life to plants. Most of the soil is composed of organomineral compounds. Other constituents are liquid and gaseous elements. The growth and development of plants is influenced by macro and microelements.

The continuous use of land is negative. Since the eighties of the last century, 10 million hectares of arable land have become unusable. Most of Russia's soils were acidified, saline, waterlogged, and also exposed to chemical and radioactive contamination. Wind and water erosion negatively affects soil fertility.

Types and map of soils of Russia

The huge extent, variety of climate, relief and water regime formed a variegated soil cover. Each region has its own soil type. The most important indicator of fertility is the thickness of the humus horizon. The upper fertile soil layer is called humus. It is formed due to the activity of microorganisms that process residues of plant and animal origin.

On the territory of Russia, the following types of soils are most common:

Arctic soils

Arctic soils are found in the Arctic. They practically do not contain humus, soil-forming processes are at a low level due to. The Arctic regions are used as hunting grounds or for the preservation of populations of unique animal species.

Tundra soils

Tundra soils are located in and along the coast of the seas of the Arctic Ocean. Permafrost prevails in these areas. Lichens and mosses formed in summer are not a good source for humus formation. Due to permafrost, the soil thaws only 40 cm deep in a short summer. The land is often saline. The humus content in the soil of the tundra zone is insignificant due to the weak microbiological activity. The land is used by local people as reindeer pasture.

Podzolic soils

Podzolic soils are common in mixed forests. The territories occupy 75% of the total area of ​​Russia. The abundance of water and the cool climate create an acidic environment. Because of it, organic matter goes to a depth. The humus horizon does not exceed ten centimeters. There are few nutrients in the soil, but a lot of moisture. When properly processed, it is suitable for agriculture. On podzolic soils enriched with fertilizers, cereals, potatoes and cereals give a good harvest.

Gray forest soils

Gray forest soils are located in Eastern Siberia, its forest-steppe and broad-leaved forests. The formation of the flora of the region is influenced by the temperate climate and relief. The lands are a combination of podzolic and black earth soils. The abundance of plant residues, summer rains and their complete evaporation contribute to the accumulation of humus. Forests are rich in lands with calcium carbonate. Due to its high fertility, 40% of gray forest soils are actively used for agricultural needs. One tenth is accounted for by pastures and hayfields. On the rest of the land, corn, beets, buckwheat and winter crops are grown.

Chernozem soils

Chernozem soils are located in the south of the country, near the borders with Ukraine and Kazakhstan. The thick humus layer was influenced by the flat relief, warm climate and slight precipitation. This type of soil is considered the most fertile in the world. Russia owns about 50% of the world's black soil reserves. A large amount of calcium prevents the leaching of nutrients. There is a lack of moisture in the southern regions. The lands have been cultivated for hundreds of years, but they still remain fertile. More than other crops, chernozems are sown with wheat. Sugar beets, corn and sunflowers yield high yields.

Chestnut soils

Chestnut soils prevail in the Astrakhan region, Minusinsk and Amur steppes. There is a lack of humus here due to high temperatures and lack of moisture. The earth is dense, swells when moistened. Salts are poorly washed out with water, the soil has a slightly acidic reaction. It is suitable for farming as long as regular irrigation is maintained. Alfalfa, cotton, wheat and sunflower are grown here.

Brown and gray-brown soils

Brown and gray-brown soils are found in the Caspian lowland. Their characteristic feature is a porous crust on the surface. It is formed due to high temperatures and low moisture content. There is an insignificant amount of humus here. Carbonates, salts and gypsum accumulate in the soil. Land fertility is low, most of the territories are used for pastures. Rice, cotton and melons are grown in irrigated areas.

Soils of natural zones of Russia

Map of natural areas of Russia

Natural complexes replace each other from north to south of the country, there are eight of them in total. Each natural zone of Russia is characterized by its own unique soil cover.

Arctic desert soils

The soil cover is practically not expressed. Mosses and lichens grow in small areas. In warm weather, grass appears above the ground. All this looks like small oases. Plant residues cannot form humus. The thawed layer of the earth in summer does not exceed 40 cm. Overmoistening, as well as summer drying, lead to cracking of the earth's surface. There is a lot of iron in the soil, which is why it has a brown color. In the Arctic desert, there are practically no swamps, lakes; in dry weather, salt spots form on the surface.

Tundra soils

In waterlogged soils. This is due to the close occurrence of permafrost and insufficient moisture evaporation. The rate of humification is very slow. Plant residues cannot rot and remain on the surface in the form of peat. The amount of nutrients is minimal. The land has a bluish or rusty color.

Forest-tundra soils

Forest-tundra is characterized by a transition from tundra to taiga soils. Woodlands already resemble a forest, they have a superficial root system. Permafrost starts at a level of 20 cm. The top layer warms up well in summer, which contributes to the formation of lush vegetation. Moisture evaporates poorly due to low temperatures, so the surface is waterlogged. Areas of the forest-tundra are a combination of podzolic and peat-gley soils. There is little humus here, the soil is acidified.

Taiga soils

There is practically no permafrost zone, so the soils are podzolic. Iron is destroyed by acids and washed out into the deep layers of the soil. Silica is formed in the upper layers. Undergrowth is poorly developed in the taiga. Fallen needles and moss take a long time to decompose. The humus content is minimal.

Deciduous and mixed forest soils

Sod-podzolic and brown soils prevail in deciduous and mixed forests. This natural area is home to oaks, larches, maples, birches and lindens. Tree litter forms a lot of humus. The sod layer reduces the capacity of the earth, therefore the sod-podzolic soil is poor in phosphorus and nitrogen. Brown soils are enriched with nutrients. Humus gives them a dark color.

Forest-steppe soils

The forest-steppe is characterized by a high evaporation of moisture, in the summer period there is drought and dry winds. Chernozem and gray forest soils are formed in this natural zone. The humus layer is large, while the mineralization is slowed down. Due to the special fertility of the land, the forest-steppe has been actively cultivated for many years in a row. Plowed areas are exposed to weathering and drying out.

Steppe soils

It is represented by dark chestnut, ordinary and low-humus chernozems. There are enough nutrients in the soil. There is less humus in chestnut soils, so they are lighter than the rest.

Desert and semi-desert soils

Chestnut soils prevail in the region. Salt accumulates due to insufficient moisture. The vegetation does not form a continuous cover. Plants have deep roots capable of extracting moisture far from the surface. In some places there are salt marshes. There is little humus; gypsum can be found in the lower layers.

In which region of Russia are the soils most fertile?

Chernozem is the most fertile type of soil. It cannot be formed artificially. Chernozem occupies only 10% of the total territory of the country, but its yield is much higher than other soils. This type is rich in humus and calcium. The structure of the soil is heavy, loose, porous, so water and air can easily penetrate to the roots of plants. Chernozem is found in the Central Black Earth economic region, which includes the Voronezh, Kursk, Belgorod, Lipetsk and Tambov regions. Podzolic soils, with proper agricultural technology, also give a high yield. They are common in the European part of Russia, the Far East and Eastern Siberia.