Soil types characteristic of the forest zones of Russia: 5 types that form in the temperate zone

The forest zone occupies a significant area of the East European Plain and Siberia, the soil and vegetation on it were formed under the influence of a temperate and continental climate and an abundance of precipitation. Consider what types of soils are most typical for the forest zones of Russia, their features and the use of forest soils in economic terms.

Features

Forest areas of the temperate zone are sufficiently moistened, the intensity of evaporation does not exceed the level of precipitation. Fertile soil layer, on average, 10-18 cm thick.

The variety of forest soils in Russia is due to a different combination of soil-forming factors - rocks, landforms, climate features, time of soil formation, plant species, and the influence of human activity.Even a small change in one of the factors invariably affects the soil profile.

Under the pine forests there are podzols, in the territory where mixed and spruce forests grow, there are sod-podzolic soils. The main characteristic of both soils is the formation of a podzol or whitish horizon located under the top layer. It consists mainly of bleached sand, which has a color reminiscent of the color of ash.

Toward the south of the forest zone, gray forest soils lie, brown ones are located on sandy or gravel rocks, and sod-carbonate soils are located on carbonate rocks. Different types of gley soils are formed in moist lowlands, alluvial soils in river valleys, and bog soils in the swampy zone. In the east of the forest zone, soils are found, the formation of which occurred under the influence of volcanic activity.

In the north, the podzol zone turns into a treeless tundra with mosses and lichens, the land under which is swampy or swampy. In the south, the forest zone borders on the forest-steppe.

What types of soils form under forests

The type of soil in Russia is influenced by climate, geographical location, water regime; due to the difference in these characteristics, soils of various types are obtained, despite the fact that the vegetation of the forest zone is represented mainly by coniferous and deciduous trees.

Podzolic soils

This type of land is characterized by periodic wetting of the upper horizon at low temperatures. The litter and the top layer are not saturated with nutrients, nitrogen and ash elements. Podzolic soils are acidic. In them, the activity of soil microorganisms is slowed down, the decomposition of organic matter with the help of fungi dominates, resulting in the formation of acids. Fallen leaves and needles do not fully rot, some of the residue remains in the litter, fulvic acids and organic acids are washed into the lower layers of the soil.

Sod-podzolic soils

This is a subtype of podzolic soils, the most fertile of them. They contain 3-7% humus, are located in the southern part of the East European and West Siberian plains. Formed by vegetation of deciduous forests. Their formation is characterized by a low occurrence of groundwater, the combined action of sodding and podzolization processes, while the forming rock can be of different mechanical composition.

Compared to podzolic, soddy-podzolic soils in Russia have better characteristics - they are better structured, more moisture-intensive, richer in humus. But they also do not contain many nutrients, especially nitrogen and phosphorus. Nitrogen remains mainly in organic matter, after the mineralization of which nitrate and ammonium forms are obtained, which are easily absorbed by plants.

Permafrost-taiga soil

Most characteristic of the plains and mountainous areas of Central and Eastern Siberia and the northern territories of the Far East. A feature of the climate of this zone is the difference in soil and air temperature, even in the warmest season the soil is colder than the air. The amount of precipitation in different regions of permafrost-taiga soils varies from 200-300 to 500-600 mm.

Permafrost-taiga soils of Russia are formed mainly under the larch taiga, shrubs grow under the trees - cranberries, blueberries and so on. In the north, they are replaced by willow and birch species, elfin cedar, alder and rhododendron.

Due to the low weathering rate, this type of soil has a low mineral content. They come from the parent rock. The acidity of soils is acidic or strongly acidic, since they contain few bases. In the lower layers, the acidity decreases. The percentage of mobile iron reaches 20-25%, the element rises and is fixed in the profile in winter.

Grey forest soils

Form under broad-leaved, mixed or small-leaved forests with lush herbaceous vegetation. They differ, with proper use, in high fertility and can produce good yields of cultivated plants. Gray forest soils are acidic, most of these soils contain a small amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium forms assimilated by plants, the use of mineral fertilizers increases their economic value.

Brown forest soils

Distributed in the south of the Far East under mixed and broad-leaved forests, in humid regions with a temperate climate. The upper horizon is brown in color, contains humus and mineral elements, and microbial activity takes place in it. The middle horizon also contains mineral elements washed out of the parent rock and organic matter.Because of this, the natural fertility of brown forest soils is quite high.

Forest soil application

Gray and brown forest soils are used to grow fodder, cereals, vegetables and fruit crops.

To increase their fertile capacity, it is necessary to systematically apply organic matter and mineral fertilizers, sow green manure and slowly deepen the arable layer. Grain and root crops, corn, potatoes, sunflower, flax, horticultural crops are grown in the forest-steppe territories.

On the West Siberian lands of Russia, dairy and meat cattle breeding is developed; spring-type cereals are grown here. Waterlogged soils are used as pastures and grasses are grown for haymaking. In Eastern Siberia, the most important direction of agriculture on gray forest soils is the cultivation of various types of grain and early ripening cold-resistant crops.Since the reserves of organic and mineral elements in such soil are average, crops are obtained only when fertilizers are applied.

The diversity of forest soils in Russia is explained by climatic conditions, the action of various soil-forming factors and the prevailing vegetation. Gray and brown soils, to a lesser extent, soddy-podzolic soils, are of value for agricultural use. They can grow grain, vegetables and fruit crops, but with constant improvement of the soil.

Recommended