Marsh soils: characteristics and properties, humus content and fertility

Marsh soil types are most often found in the tundra and taiga-forest zones. They are also common in the forest-steppe and other areas. The formation of this type of soil leads to swamping of land or peat in water bodies. This process is accompanied by peat formation and gleying of the mineral part of the soil profile. The development of such soil is possible only in conditions of increased moisture.

Formation conditions

Swamp soil is called, which includes a lot of undecomposed or semi-decomposed plant residues. They accumulate under the influence of prolonged increased moisture.

The formation of marsh soil types is caused by the impact of a special process of soil formation, which is accompanied by increased moisture. The influence of atmospheric and stagnant groundwater is involved in this.

The components of the process of formation of such types of soil include peat formation and gleying. The first concept implies an accumulation of plant residues and humus, which leads to oxygen deficiency and the development of anaerobic processes.

Gleying is a biochemical process that is associated with the reduction of iron and manganese. It necessarily involves various fungi and bacteria. At the same time, the soil is characterized by a dark shade.

Main soil-forming processes

Soil formation process is accompanied by accumulation of peat in the soil structure and gleying of mineral compounds. This process develops as a result of constant waterlogging, which is caused by the impact of groundwater and surface water flows.

When floods occur, which are associated with the degradation of the relief and the influence of precipitation, water stagnates. However, this type of soil can also occur in areas with flat terrain. This is due to the presence of a waterproof layer of soil. If groundwater is high, the upper layers are oversaturated with moisture, and plants grow well on them.

This organic matter gradually decomposes in swamps and is the base of fertile soil fragments. After a while, a thick layer of peat forms.

At the same time, the natural zone, which is characterized by certain conditions and climate, is considered the main factor of influence. It in itself is conducive to waterlogging and the formation of peat.

In fact, the swampy soil is a peat bog, which is interspersed with gley zones. The composition, structure and appearance of the soil depend on the type of waterlogging.

Profile structure and classification

The swamp soil profile has several genetic horizons that differ in their characteristics and humus content:

thick layer of forest floor or tow, which is the surface layer of moss vegetation unaffected by decay;
peat horizon, which is divided into sub-horizons;
Gley horizon.

Depending on the process of formation and natural zones, marsh lands are divided into 2 groups - upland and lowland. The first category includes the following varieties:

regular - they are also called organogenic;
transitional - include fragments of moss and grass;
located on sandy layers - they are called humus-ferruginous.

Peat-bog soils are found in the taiga regions of Siberia, Kamchatka, Sakhalin. They are characterized by a high degree of acidification, low ash content, and significant moisture capacity.

Meadow-marsh soils are found in Western Siberia, the Far East, in the Omsk region. They differ in acidity and carbonate content. The main subtypes of such soils include gley and peat-gley soils.

In addition, swampy soils are divided into the following groups:

According to the level of development of peat formation processes. The formation and decomposition of peat and gleying provoke the formation of fertile soil types with different contents of humus and humus. They also differ in the degree of acidification. According to this criterion, soils are divided into upland, lowland and peat-gley.
From an economic point of view. This criterion implies consideration of soil properties depending on the variety of swamps.Riding soil types are considered not very suitable, in which the substrate is not completely decomposed. They are acidic and contain few nutrients.

Flow swamps are more suitable for development and adaptation for agricultural needs. They are characterized by neutral acidity parameters and high-quality decomposition of peat.

Composition and properties

The structure of the peat horizon influences the features of the composition, characteristics and fertility of marshy soils. The composition of gley horizons is diverse. It is largely determined by the granulometric, mineralogical and chemical composition of the rocks on which peat soil types are formed.

Common features include unfavorable physical characteristics, such as disaggregation and compaction, the presence of ferrous iron varieties. Agronomic and genetic assessment of peat soil types is carried out taking into account the thickness of the peat layer.It is also worth considering the following peat parameters:

decomposition level;
botanical composition;
structure of organic matter;
nitrogen content;
ash content and composition of such components;
physical characteristics.

How to improve?

To improve the composition and structure of marsh soil types, it is recommended to apply a whole range of actions:

First, drain the soil. To divert water, reservoirs are built and locks are built. This contributes to increased mineralization of organic elements, increased soil aeration, and oxidation of ferrous components.
Systematically apply nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus to the soil. It is especially important to do this in the first years after draining.
Apply copper regularly. Bog soils contain little of this component.
For upland and transitional soils, carry out liming. This procedure helps to reduce acidity parameters.
Remove weeds as their root system provokes soil compaction.

Use

Land peat can be used as an organic fertilizer. This top dressing is perfect for soddy and podzolic types of soil. The moss variety of this product is used for pet bedding because it absorbs gases and manure very well, which reduces nitrogen loss. Peat horizons are used for composting. This helps to obtain quality fertilizers.

It is permissible to plant various crops on drained areas - sunflower, alfalfa, sweet clover, clover. They are also allowed to grow perennial crops.

Vegetation

Heath shrubs and sphagnum mosses usually grow on raised bogs. There are also dwarf varieties of birch and pine. Lowland swamps are grassy, hypnotic or forest. In the first case, sedges, cotton grass, and reeds are found on them. The hypnum types are characterized by the predominance of mosses, while the forest types have a stand of black alder.

Marsh soils differ in structure and composition. This must be taken into account when using soil for agricultural purposes.