What type of soil is the most common in Russia? good or bad from the point of view of human activities? Soil on the site: types of soils by region and climatic zone, condition and improvement of soil composition.

1. Conditions of soil formation.

2. The main types of soils in Russia.

3. Mountain soils.

Conditions of soil formation

Dokuchaev V.V. called the soil "a mirror and a work of the landscape." Soil formation is influenced by all components of nature, especially climate, vegetation and underlying rocks.

In the northern part of the country, the development of soil-forming processes is limited, i.e. constrained by energy resources. The increase in heat to the south leads to an increase in organic matter and the number of microorganisms. Optimal soil-forming processes are created in the zone of neutral balance of heat and moisture, while chernozems are formed. With further advancement to the south, soil formation begins to be restrained by a moisture deficit. There are several types of soil water regime: leaching, periodically leaching, non-leaching, effusion. These types of water regime of soils are subordinate in their distribution to zoning. For depressive landforms (lowered), a stagnant regime is characteristic (in a humid climate), for permafrost regions, a permafrost regime is characteristic.

All the variety of soil types is determined by the ratio of the main soil-forming processes: gley, podzolic, sod (humus accumulation), salinization, peat accumulation. In general, soils on the plains are distributed zonally.

The main types of soils in Russia

Arctic soils form on the low plateaus and low shores of the Arctic islands. They are underdeveloped, very young and fragmented. They are characterized by a poorly differentiated shortened profile. The upper horizons contain mobile iron compounds. There is almost no leaching. Gleization is not typical for these soils.

To the south, the arctic soils are replaced by tundra soils, which are represented by four subtypes: 1) tundra-gley (typical); 2) arctotundra gley; 3) tundra illuvial-humus podzolized; 4) peat-gley. The most common are tundra-gley soils, which form on clay and loamy rocks under closed vegetation. Cryogenic phenomena (solifluction, etc.) disturb the genetic horizons, and the soil profile becomes poorly differentiated. At the same time, the gley process is pronounced, the decomposition of plant litter is slowed down with the formation of coarse humus. The arctotundra gley soils forming to the north are minimally waterlogged and gleyed. Under conditions of stagnant moisture, peat-gley soils are formed. In places where drainage conditions are better (sandy rocks), illuvial-humus podzolized soils are formed. But these soils are usually typical for forest-tundra. All tundra soils are thin, contain little humus (2-3%), the reaction of the soil solution is acidic.

Podzolic soils are the most common soil type in Russia. They are formed under coniferous forests in conditions of excessive moisture (k> 1). The predominance of precipitation over evaporation provides a leaching regime for a significant part of the growing season. Intense carryover occurs chemical elements from the upper soil horizons, therefore, the leaching horizon (A2) is characteristic for podzolic soils. Easily soluble compounds are carried out outside the soil profile, while less mobile compounds accumulate in the lower part of the profile, where the wash-in horizon (illuvial) is formed. Typical podzolic soils are formed under the canopy of the dark coniferous middle part of the taiga. They are characterized by a low thickness of the humus horizon (A1) - no more than 1-3 cm - and an acidic reaction of the soil solution. With temporary, highly excessive moisture, the podzolic process is complicated by the gley process. In such conditions, gley-podzolic soils are formed, which are more typical for the northern part of the taiga. In areas where permafrost is spread, taiga-permafrost soils develop under coniferous forests. They form at low soil temperatures, which slows down the processes of chemical weathering and decomposition of organic residues. In this regard, coarse humus accumulates in the upper horizons. The permafrost serves as an impermeable water seal, so there is no end-to-end washing of the soil. The leaching horizon (podzolic A2) is absent in these soils. Due to annual freezing, the soil profile is poorly differentiated. The soils are waterlogged, therefore gleying appears in them. Under conditions of constant moisture, bog soils are formed.

Sod-podzolic soils are common in mixed forests and southern taiga, where plant litter is noticeably increased. During their formation, a soddy process is superimposed on the podzolic process, therefore, the humus horizon (A1) is better developed.

Under the coniferous-deciduous forests of the south of the Far East, under the deciduous forests of the south of the Kaliningrad region, in the Caucasus, brown forest soils are formed. They are formed under the conditions of a flushed regime of warm and humid summer. Iron compounds give the soils a brown tint. They are characterized by gleying, i.e. the process of formation of secondary clay minerals.

The profile of brown forest soils is poorly differentiated into genetic horizons.

Gray forest soils are formed under the deciduous forests of the European part of Russia and under the forest-steppes. The moisture balance is close to neutral (k ~ 1). Here, the process of removal of chemical compounds weakens and the sod process intensifies. Unlike sod-podzolic soils, these soils are richer in humus. In the northern part, under the forests, they are light gray, and in the southern, under the forest-steppe, the soils are dark gray. Their regime is periodically flushed, the reaction is close to neutral.

Chernozem soils dominate in the steppe zone. They stretch in a continuous strip from the western borders of the country to Altai. The sod process plays a leading role in the formation of chernozems. The water regime of these soils is non-flush, and the humus content in them is the highest of all types of soils. The accumulation of humus is facilitated by the annual herbaceous litter. Chernozem soils are divided into subtypes: podzolized, leached, typical, ordinary, southern chernozems. They replace each other from north to south, as the moisture deficit increases. In podzolized and leached chernozems, there are signs of leaching. In typical chernozems, a completely sod process is manifested and the humus content reaches 12% or more. In ordinary and southern chernozems, the humus content decreases rapidly. Among the chernozem soils and soils of the more southern regions, malts, salt licks, and salt marshes can be found.

Chestnut soils form in dry steppes and semi-deserts. In Russia, they are common in the southeast of the Russian Plain, in the Eastern Ciscaucasia and in the intermontane basins of Southern Siberia. Chestnut soils are formed under conditions of moisture deficit and thin grassy cover. They contain much less humus than chernozems. The reaction of the soil solution is slightly alkaline. Chestnut soils are divided into subtypes: dark chestnut, chestnut, light chestnut (for semi-deserts). Brown desert soils are developed only in the south of the Caspian region, where the climate is the most arid. They are very poor in humus (less than 2%). Salt licks and salt marshes are often found among these soils. Their mode is exudative, the reaction of the soil solution is alkaline.

Along with the zoning of soils, their sectorality is also traced, associated with changes in climate, vegetation, rocks from west to east. For example, in the forest-steppe of the Russian Plain, gray forest soils are combined with podzolized and leached chernozems. In chernozem soils, in general, there is an increase in humus from west to east (within the Russian Plain).

Mountain soils

The genetic properties of mountain soils correspond to the soil types of plains. But not all mountain soils have some common features that differ from the corresponding types of plains: they are all thin, stony-gravelly, rich in minerals. Only the soils of subalpine and alpine meadows have no analogues on the plains. Mountain meadow soils are formed in a cold and humid climate of high mountains, with increased solar radiation, under meadows and bushes. They are characterized by a well-defined dark humus horizon, acidic reaction and low thickness. Mountain meadow soils are found in the Caucasus, Altai, and the South Urals.

The main regularity of changes in soils in the mountains is the altitudinal zonality. The higher the mountains, the better it is. In addition, the farther north, the more uniform the soil cover, which is why the mountainous soils of the Caucasus are the most diverse in Russia. So, at the foot of these mountains - chernozems, above - gray forest soils, then - brown forest, even higher - podzolic and mountain meadow. But in the mountains of the North-East of Siberia, on the contrary, only taiga-permafrost and - above which - mountain-tundra soils are expressed.

The most important property of soils is their fertility. The most fertile soils are chernozems, further - to the north and south of chernozems - are gray forest and chestnut soils in terms of fertility. Humus reserves are closely related to the natural productivity of soils, which depends on the value of the annual increase in biomass per unit area.

In Russia, more than 50% of arable land is located on black soil. About 15% falls on gray and brown forest soils, the same amount is on sod-podzolic and podzolic soils, and a little more than 10% is on chestnut soils.

The names of the soil types come from the climatic zones in which they were formed. In the taiga-forest zone, there are podzolic and sod-podzolic; in the forest-steppe and steppe - gray forest, black soil, chestnut; in the subtropical - red soils and yellow soils.

Many soils got their name from the color of their humus horizon: black soil, gray forest, brown forest, podzol.

The soil contains a large amount of iron compounds on the surface of particles of clay, sand, and silt. It is because of the films of iron on the soil particles that it acquires its specific color. The presence of iron hydroxides gives soils various shades of reddish brown or yellowish brown. The soil acquires a black color depending on the presence of humic acid in it.

• Black color - more than 7%

• Dark gray - 5 ... 7%

• Gray - 3 ... 5%

• Light gray - less than 3%

Podzolicsoil - common in the taiga zone. Where coniferous forests grow. The top layer is forest litter, formed from fallen needles and branches. Below is a whitish layer that does not have a pronounced structure. Below it is a brown horizon, dense, with a high clay content, the structure is expressed in the form of large lumps.

As a result of the decomposition of needles, acids are formed, which, under conditions of excessive moisture, contribute to the disintegration of mineral and organic soil particles. Abundant precipitation, in turn, wash out such soil and carry out substances dissolved by acid from the upper humus layer to the lower horizons. As a result, the upper part of the soil acquires a whitish ash color.

These soils are very acidic and therefore always need liming and a full range of fertilizers. In podzolic soil there is only 1 to 4% humus.

In Russia, podzolic soils are common in Siberia and the Far East. Trees grow on such soils much better than agricultural crops.

Only at the base of the slopes, in humid places, podzolic soils are considered the most suitable for vegetable growing. The soils of these places have a bluish color and a steel sheen on the cut. However, they tend to be too wet and need to be drained.

Sod-podzolic soils Is a subtype of podzolic soils. They form under small-leaved forests mixed with conifers. In composition, they are in many ways similar to podzolic soils. Under the forest floor there is a humus horizon, no more than 15 ... 20 centimeters deep, which has a dark brown color, followed by a sterile whitish layer.

A characteristic feature of these soils is that they are washed out by water more slowly than podzolic soils, therefore they are more fertile, but they also need liming and fertilization and can be used for growing vegetables only after improvement.

To do this, gradually, no more than 3 ... 5 centimeters annually, they deepen the arable layer and apply a large amount of organic, mineral fertilizers and lime. Spring processing of soddy podzolic soil should be carried out to a shallower depth than autumn, so as not to turn the podzol to the surface.

Gray forest soils are formed in deciduous forests. An indispensable condition for the formation of such soils is the presence of a continental climate, grassy vegetation and the presence of sufficient amounts of calcium (Ca). Thanks to this element, water is not able to destroy the soil structure by taking out nutrients.

These soils are colored shades of gray. The humus content in gray forest soils ranges from 2 to 8 percent. The fertility of these soils is considered average.

Gray forest soils contain slightly more humus than podzolic soils. Despite a certain amount of calcium (Ca) reserves, they still have an acidic soil environment, and therefore need liming.

Brown forest soils are common in mixed coniferous and broad-leaved forests. These soils are formed only in temperate warm climates. The color of the soil is brown. The top layer, about 5 centimeters thick, consists of fallen leaves. Beneath it there is a fertile layer up to 30 centimeters thick. Even lower is a layer of clay 15 ... 40 centimeters.

Brown soils are subdivided into several subtypes with a palette of brown shades, the formation of which occurs under the influence of ambient temperature.

Chestnut soils are common in steppes and semi-deserts. This soil has a chestnut, light chestnut and dark chestnut color. Accordingly, there are three subtypes of chestnut soil, differing in color.

On light chestnut soils, farming is possible only with abundant watering. On dark chestnut soils, cereals and sunflowers grow well without watering.

The chemical composition of the chestnut soil is varied. The soil contains magnesium (Mg) and calcium (Ca), which indicates a favorable acidity (pH) level for most plants.

Chestnut soil tends to recover quickly. Its thickness is supported by the annually falling grass. You can get good yields on it, provided there is sufficient moisture. Since the steppes are usually arid.

Chestnut soils in Russia are widespread in the Caucasus, the Volga region and Central Siberia.

Sod soils are distributed mainly in Belarus, the Baltic states, in the middle and northern
zones of Russia. They contain a lot of humus, and therefore are structural and fertile. According to the reaction of the soil environment, soddy soils are slightly acidic or neutral.

Chernozems are recognized as a standard. They have an optimal granular structure, they contain a lot of humus, they have a high content of nutrients and a neutral reaction of the soil environment. When setting up a vegetable garden on black soil, fertilizer should be applied only to maintain the balance of nutrients.

Voronezh black soil stored in the Paris Chamber of Weights and Measures, being the standard of agriculture.

Peat soils are located in the wettest places, occupy about 7% of the entire territory of Russia and are located mainly in the regions of the North-West, the central zone of Russia, Western Siberia and the Far East.

They are dark, almost black in color when wet. In the thickness, you can always see incompletely decomposed plant remains. A bluish clayey horizon lies under the peat layer. Such soils are rich in organic matter, but they lack some essential macro and microelements for cultivated plants.

Due to the high moisture content, peat soils require good drainage.
Due to poor water permeability with an excess of atmospheric precipitation, they float with water.
Due to poor thermal conductivity, they slowly warm up in the spring, which is why the processing and sowing times are delayed.

They are also highly acidic and therefore need liming.

Peat soils differ into several subtypes, depending on the peat that forms them.

Low peat contains the most nitrogen, ash, lime, and therefore slightly acidic. It occurs in hollows, river valleys and depressions.

Horse peat much poorer than lowland nitrogen and ash, as it is located in higher areas. There is very little lime in it, it is sour. High moor peat is suitable for composting.

Transitional peat in terms of nitrogen, ash and lime content, it occupies an intermediate position.

Peat soils after draining them, applying the necessary phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, as well as liming, are successfully used for growing vegetables.

Floodplain soils are formed in floodplains of rivers. During the spring floods of rivers, a lot of silt settles on these soils, which makes them especially fertile. Floodplain soils have a neutral reaction of the soil environment, therefore they rarely need liming. They are rich in phosphorus, but poor in potassium.

In the high part of the floodplain, sandy loam and loamy varieties of floodplain soils prevail. In terms of structure and supply of nutrients, they are inferior to the soils of the middle part of the floodplain, but they dry out faster, which allows them to start processing them earlier. The groundwater here lies deeply; when growing vegetables, it is necessary to organize watering.

The middle part of the floodplain is represented mainly by loamy soil, which is characterized by a good granular structure and high fertility. Ground waters occur at a depth of 1.5 to 2 meters, which creates favorable conditions for the water regime for plants. The highest yields of vegetables and potatoes are obtained on these soils.

In the lower part of the floodplain, the soils are also fertile, but heavy and excessively moist, which is explained by the high occurrence of groundwater (from 0.5 to 1.0 meters) and the prolonged flood. These soils should be drained by arranging drainage ditches, after which they are suitable for growing late vegetables, especially cabbage.

Soil map of Russia and CIS countries

The concept of "soil"

Definition 1

The soil - This is the upper loose fertile layer of the earth's surface.

This complex natural formation arises as a result of changes in rocks under the influence of climate and living organisms. The main property of the soil is its fertility. This quality is ensured by the mass of organic matter formed as a result of the decomposition of the remains of living organisms, which is called humus or humus.

Soil formation

Soil formation begins with the destruction of rocks. The rock underlying the soil is called the parent rock. Erosion occurs under the influence of climatic factors (temperature difference, work of wind, water). The formed crushed stone or sand is saturated with air and moisture. Living organisms, penetrating deep into the parent rock, enrich it with organic remains. The bulk of the soil is formed by higher plants. Leaves, needles, branches are decomposed by fungi and bacteria, forming a humus layer. Animals living in the soil loosen it, mix organic matter with mineral particles. The soil formation process takes place continuously.

The development of soil-forming processes is influenced by the climate. Low and heat prevent decay processes. Lack of moisture also slows down this process. Excessive moisture washes organic matter into the deeper layers of the earth's crust.

The main types of soils in Russia

Russia is one of the countries that are very well endowed with land resources. But, given the large size of the country's territory, in Russia there are relatively few lands suitable for the life and activity of the population. For example, more than $ 8 $% of the area is occupied by unproductive tundra soils, $ 12 $% - by swamps and wetlands, $ 2.8% - by a zone of semi-deserts and deserts, $ 5 $% of the area is occupied by high-mountainous regions. Agricultural land accounts for only $ 32.7% of the total area of ​​the country.

The territory of Russia is distinguished by a wide variety of soil cover. This is due to the size of the country's territory and the variety of geological and climatic conditions.

The geography of the main soil types is subject to the main geographic laws. Soil types stretch from west to east and change from north to south in accordance with geographic zoning.

On the arctic islands, in the arctic desert zone, the soil cover is poorly developed. Low-power arctic soils .

Podzolic soils occupy almost $ 41 $% of the total area of ​​the country and are the most common type of soil in Russia. They formed south of the tundra soils, under coniferous and mixed forests. In the conditions of Eastern and North-Eastern Siberia, taiga-permafrost podzolic soils ... Mixed forest conditions favored education sod-podzolic soils ... As we move south we meet gray forest and brown forest soils .

On the territory of the forest-steppe and steppe natural zones, under the influence of the abundant herbaceous cover, the most fertile soils of our country were formed - chernozems ... These soils are most developed in the North Caucasus, in the Kuban and Stavropol regions. As we move eastward, the width of the chernozem zone decreases. And in Siberia and the Far East, chernozems are found in separate areas.

In the southern regions of the steppe zone, chernozems are replaced by chestnut soils ... In the conditions of deserts and semi-deserts develop brown, gray-brown soils and gray soils .

V highlands the soils are less thick, have a high content of rubble and correspond to the patterns of altitudinal zonality. An outstanding scientist made a huge contribution to the study of soils in Russia Vasily Vasilievich Dokuchaev ... He not only identified the main soil zones, but also revealed the patterns of their formation and distribution.

Soils are an important wealth of Russia. They need rational use and protection from erosion. Irrational use soil can cause depletion of the humus layer, destruction of the upper (most fertile) horizons and even the transformation of territories into barren areas - " badlands ". Soil conservation is one of the main components of the country's agricultural policy.

It's no secret that the most fertile soils are chernozems. The dream of my dad - an avid summer resident - was to exchange his huge garden with clay soil for something smaller, but with black soil. Is it worth chasing one type of soil like this, or are there other, equally productive soils in Russia?

Soil types on the territory of Russia

Land fund Russian Federation very rich in various types of soil. In our country, the following are widely represented:

• podzolic soils;
• tundra gley;
• arctic and permafrost taiga soils;
• gray and brown forest;
• chestnut;
• chernozems.

The most common soil type in Russia

These are podzolic soils, they are also called acidic because of the processes of podzol formation occurring in them.

Forests grow well on this type of soil, but in agriculture they are very weakly involved. First of all, this is due to the low humus content - 1-4% versus 8-12% for chernozems.

Podzolic soils are common in forest zones. In Russia, most of them are in Siberia and the Far East.

From point of view economic activity the wide distribution of podzolic soils has a good effect on the forest industry, since trees are not as picky about the soil as crops.

In some countries, these soils are used in agriculture with intensive production technology, which provides for the widespread use of mineral and organic fertilizers, as well as specially bred varieties of agricultural crops. Often they resort to this forcibly (due to the lack of other soils), since production costs increase significantly.

Agricultural soils in Russia

Half of the world's black soil is located in Russia - this is 7% of the total area of ​​the country. Fertile soils are concentrated in the south of the state.

On Russian chernozems, 3/4 of all agricultural products of the country are produced, and only 25% falls on other, less fertile, types of soils. This gift of nature must be exploited with care.

Completed by: Shemyakina Anastasia 8 "v" class

Soil is the top layer of the globe capable of producing crops. Not alone rock not capable of this. Soils have this property due to the presence of organic matter. The soil is composed of organic, minerals and hygroscopic moisture.

The ability of a soil to produce a crop is called soil fertility. Conditions for increasing fertility: Availability of nutrients (phosphorus, potassium, nitrogen) Sufficient amount of moisture Availability of air necessary for the activity of plants Soil acidity - neutral There should be no harmful compounds (gases)

The main classification unit is considered to be the soil type (soil with the same profile structure and developing under the same conditions and under the same type of vegetation). The main types of soils in Russia include: tundra-gley, podzolic, sod-podzolic, gray forest, chernozems, brown forest soils, chestnut soils, red soils, yellow soils, serozems, bog soils, malts, and salt marshes.

Tundra-gley: formed in the far north in tundra conditions, where vegetation is poorly developed, the process of gleying takes place. In these soils, a greenish-gray gley horizon is located under the upper horizon. It is formed during prolonged waterlogging and lack of oxygen in the soil.

Sod-podzolic and podzolic They occupy more than half of the country's area. They are formed under forests in the area of ​​excessive waterlogging (k> 1). With a small amount of plant residues and intensive leaching, podzolic soils are formed in the taiga. They are poor in humus and mineral elements, therefore, infertile. In the southern part of the taiga, humus accumulates, mineral compounds are retained in the soil.

Chernozem: Chernozem soils in Russia run from the western borders to Altai and are concentrated in small areas in Transbaikalia. The chernozem zone is widespread in the steppe and forest-steppe zones. They are characterized by a black color and a high humus content, a large thickness of the A1 horizon (up to 1 m). They have a granular structure. These are the best the soil of our country.

Subspecies of chernozem: Podzolized chernozem - widespread in the forest-steppe zone. There are the main features of the podzolic process (in the lower part of the A1 horizon there is a silicon-oxygen powder). Leached chernozem - associated with meadow-steppe vegetation. Main feature is that all alkaline elements occur in the C horizon. Typical black soil is characteristic of the central zone. The largest amount of humus (20%). Carbonates appear in the middle of the B horizon. West Siberian chernozem is typical for the Asian part of Russia. Associated with freezing of the soil. The humus horizon is small, there is little humus.

Gray forest: Common under deciduous forests. They are characterized by the appearance of soddy, podzolic processes. The soil profile is reminiscent of a flaky pie. The humus content is different, there are 3 types of these soils: Light gray (in the northern part of broad-leaved species with a predominance of small-leaved species). Gray forest (humus content increases). Dark gray forest (formed under clear oak forests. These soils are typical for the forest-steppe).

Salt marshes: Formed in various natural areas with a close occurrence of groundwater. This is more often characteristic of relief depressions. In areas of poor and insufficient moisture, where the groundwater is highly mineralized, these are the most saline soils. With the close occurrence of fresh groundwater, peat-bog soils are formed.

Chestnut: These are the soils of dry steppe zones. Vegetation is poorly developed. With the onset of the summer heat, it dries up. Chestnut trees adjoin chernozem soils. Humus contains 3-4%, a significant content of ash elements. This soil is characterized by the distribution of carbonates throughout the soil profile and the occurrence of salts at different depths in the parent rocks.