Taiga soils: types and characteristics, basic properties, humus content

Sufficiently impressive space is occupied by the soils of the taiga. Despite the fact that formally this zone is included in the temperate climate zone, the difference in the actual climate in such a territory is inevitable. A distinctive characteristic is considered to be a significant variation in winter and summer temperatures. At the same time, precipitation slightly exceeds evaporation. Therefore, there is practically no moisture deficit in the soil structure. The only exceptions are the driest years.

Features of the taiga

The taiga, also called boreal forests, is the largest natural area on the planet.It is located in the northern and middle regions of North America, Asia, and Europe. This zone is characterized by the predominance of coniferous forests and long winters. Also, the taiga is characterized by moderate and high levels of precipitation. The natural zone of the taiga accounts for approximately 17% of the planet's land area. In the north, it borders on the tundra, and in the southern part, on the steppe and forest-steppe.

Taiga is characterized by a limited number of coniferous plants. The main species include fir, spruce, pine, larch. Also in this zone there are also individual deciduous trees - in particular, poplar and birch.

Plants and animals of the taiga have managed to adapt to a short growing season and adverse weather conditions. Winters in this region are very long and cold. In addition, they are characterized by persistent snow cover. Rainfall in the eastern regions is less than in the western.

Soil formation

The soils that form in coniferous taiga forests are not of very good quality.They are significantly inferior to chernozem soils in terms of fertility. Soddy-podzolic types of lands are predominantly found in this region. The humus content in them, as a rule, does not exceed 1-6%.

Typical taiga soils lack useful elements to support large deciduous plants. In addition, the cold climate makes the soil layer very thin. Leaves that fall from small trees are a natural top dressing for the soil. At the same time, the composition of the needles of evergreen crops contains acids that adversely affect the quality characteristics of soils in the region.

Taiga contributes to the appearance of permafrost. The lower tiers of the boreal forests, which are covered with moss, are a kind of isolation in summer. In addition, the dense structure of the litter cools the soil to such an extent that permafrost appears.

Forest fires cause soil heating, destroying the forest floor. The dark ash that remains after fires increases the absorption of solar energy for several years. This provokes the heating of the permafrost.

Taiga soils, their features and characteristics

A characteristic feature of taiga soils is the low content of useful elements. Unlike the soils of deciduous forests, there is almost no deep layer saturated with organic humus.

Small soil thickness due to harsh climatic conditions. They lead to a slowdown in the formation of organic fragments of the taiga soil. At the same time, moss, needles, fallen leaves are on the ground for a long time, without decomposing.

In the taiga there are different types of soil - podzolic, gley-earth, permafrost-taiga. Each of the varieties has certain characteristics.

Podzolic soils

These are the most common taiga soils. They contain the minimum amount of nutrients. At the same time, fallen leaves and needles can remain on the surface of the earth for a long time without decomposing. Thus, the formation of podzolic lands is accompanied by insufficient saturation with organic matter. At the same time, podzol cannot appear in permafrost conditions.

Another important characteristic of the prevailing podzolic soils is excellent drainage. Acids that appear during the decomposition of coniferous needles are sent to the deep layers of the soil. They help maintain high humidity and special chemical changes in the structure of minerals.

A distinctive feature of the taiga podzol is also considered to be the intensive movement of surface decomposition products of substances into the depths of the soil. The horizon of such soil is brown-rusty in color, since it includes a lot of iron.

In zones with a compacted washout horizon, a significant decrease in culvert capacity is observed. Therefore, most of the taiga swamps are formed in these places. Podzolic soils are characterized by a minimum humus content. This figure does not exceed 1-4%. To use such land for agriculture, additional fertilizers are required.

Sod-podzolic soil is formed in regions with mixed forests. It contains noticeably more humus and ash substances.

Gleyzems

Gley soils are often found on the territory of the plains. They form in conditions of high humidity. At the same time, the upper peat structures have time to dry out slightly, while the middle and lower ones do not.

During the formation of such soils, reduced forms of iron appear, and their movement is observed, which leads to a lack of these compounds in the soil structure. The gley horizon is characterized by cold tones - blue, gray, greenish.

As it dries, the primer becomes yellow-white. When iron oxides are oxidized, rusty and black-rusty spots occur.

Permafrost-taiga soils

Such soils are formed on the plains and in the mountains of Siberia, as well as in the north of the Far East. They form in permafrost conditions. A distinctive feature of such regions is that even in warm weather, the earth has a lower temperature than the air.

These soils are mainly formed in the growth zones of deciduous trees and some shrubs - wild rosemary, lingonberry, blueberry. The main property of permafrost-taiga soils is the presence of acidic and strongly acidic reactions.

What grows on them

Although the taiga soils are not fertile, they grow many natural varieties that are adapted to the difficult climate. The taiga of North America is dominated by balsam fir. In the western regions, Menzies' pseudo-hemlock is found. Also in the taiga regions grow pines, adapted species of willow, juniper, spruce. Shrubs include cranberries, wild rosemary, lingonberries, rose hips.

The soils of the taiga are not considered very fertile. They differ in the minimum content of humus and nutrients. Nevertheless, many interesting plants grow on such lands.

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