Types and map of soils in Russia, table of the most common and characteristics

Soil is a special natural formation that is formed on the surface of the earth’s crust as a result of the interaction of rocks with water, air and living organisms. The formation of soils is influenced by a number of factors. However, their composition and structure are different. The soils of Russia are characterized by diversity. They differ in types, which have different degrees of fertility.

Peculiarities

Not all types of soil that exist in Russia are suitable for agriculture. Some of these soils are located in arctic and subarctic areas - in permafrost zones. The driest soils are also not suitable for growing cultivated plants.

The main agricultural lands are located in the Central Black Earth region. At the same time, in the Far East the lands are poorly plowed. Pastures and arable lands account for 13% of the total area. Hayfields and meadows occupy no more than 1% of the area. About 45% of all land resources are not affected by human activity. They represent the main forest resources of the country.

Constant use of land resources leads to negative consequences. Common problems include waterlogging, salinity, and acidification. There is also a risk of radioactive and chemical contamination.

What types of soils are typical for the territory of Russia

The soils of Russia are very diverse. However, they differ in composition and structure. Tundra-gley lands occupy the largest area of ​​the country. However, many other types of soils are also found on its territory.

Arctic

Such soils are formed due to the thawing of permafrost. They are quite thin. The maximum layer of humus does not exceed 1-2 centimeters. This soil is characterized by a low acidic environment. It is localized in areas with harsh climatic conditions, which negatively affects the recovery process.

Such soils in Russia are found only in the Arctic - on some islands of the Arctic Ocean. The classification of such soils includes 2 varieties - desert-arctic and typical arctic soils.The harsh climate and small humus layer lead to the fact that there is practically no vegetation in such areas.

Tundra

These soil resources are found in the tundra. They are also located along the shores of the Arctic Ocean. Permafrost is observed in these areas. In summer, lichens and mosses appear here, but they cannot be called good sources of humus.

Podzolic

This type of soil is mainly found in forest areas. It includes only 1-4% humus. Such soil is formed due to the process of podzol formation. In this case, a reaction with acid occurs. This is why the soil is often called acidic.

Podzolic soils were first described by Dokuchaev. When using them as agricultural land, special attention must be paid to processing. To do this, it is recommended to properly feed the soil, introducing organic and mineral substances into it.

Podzolic soils are more useful in logging than in agriculture. Trees grow on them much better than other plants.

Soddy-podzolic soils are considered one of the subtypes of such lands. Their composition is largely reminiscent of podzolic soil. A distinctive feature of the earth is considered to be slower erosion by water.

The main part of such soils is concentrated in the taiga - in Siberia. There is up to 10% fertile layer on the soil surface.At depth, this amount sharply decreases to 0.5%.

Gray forest

Such soils are predominantly concentrated in forest areas. An important condition for their proper formation is the presence of a continental climate, deciduous forests and herbaceous plants. Gray forest soils are characterized by a high calcium content. Thanks to this component, water does not penetrate into the soil structure and does not provoke its erosion.

Chernozem

Chernozem is located in the southern part of Russia - near the borders with Kazakhstan and Ukraine. The high humus content in the structure is associated with flat terrain, low precipitation and a warm climate. This type of soil is considered the most fertile. At the same time, Russia contains approximately 50% of the world's reserves of chernozems.

There is a lot of calcium in the soil structure. This helps avoid leaching of valuable substances. There is a moisture deficit in the south. Despite the long history of cultivation, the soil remains fertile. The main part of chernozems is sown with wheat. These soils are also suitable for growing corn, sugar beets and sunflowers.

Chestnut soils

Such soils are mainly found in steppes and semi-deserts. The share of the fertile layer accounts for 1.5-4.5%. This corresponds to average fertility.

Chestnut soils have several subtypes, which are represented by different colors. Plants can be grown on light chestnut lands only with abundant irrigation.The main purpose of such lands is considered to be pastures.

Wheat, millet, sunflower, oats and barley can be grown in dark chestnut soil. However, such plants do not need to be watered.

There are slight differences in the chemical composition of chestnut soils. They are divided into several categories:

• clayey;
• sandy;
• sandy loam;
• light loamy;
• medium loamy;
• heavy loamy.

Each variety has a unique composition. In general, chestnut soils are distinguished by the content of various chemical elements. They include magnesium, calcium, and easily soluble salts.

Brown and gray-brown soils

Brown and gray-brown soil types are found in the Caspian lowland. Their distinctive feature is a porous crust on the surface. It is formed under the influence of high temperatures and low humidity. Such lands contain a minimal amount of humus. At the same time, they contain salts, gypsum, and carbonates.

The lands are characterized by a low degree of fertility. Most of the areas are used as pastures. Irrigated areas can be used for growing rice, melons and cotton.

Soils of natural zones of Russia

Natural complexes of Russia replace each other from north to south. In total, there are 8 zones on the map. Thus, in the south of the country there are chernozems, and in the European part there are podzolic soil types.

Each zone is characterized by a unique soil cover.Its position in the regions is presented in the table:

Arctic desert soils

In this zone there is no pronounced soil cover. Small areas are covered with mosses and lichens. There may be some grass appearing in the summer. Such areas are presented in the form of small oases. In this case, plant residues are not enough to form humus.

The thawed layer of soil in summer is no more than 40 centimeters. Overmoistening and drying out in the summer provoke the appearance of cracks on the surface. The soil contains a lot of iron, which gives it a brown tint. The Arctic desert has almost no lakes or swamps. In dry weather, salt spots appear on the surface of the earth.

Tundra

The tundra is characterized by waterlogged soil. This is due to the close occurrence of permafrost and insignificant evaporation of moisture. This region is characterized by slow rates of humification. Plant residues do not rot, remaining on the surface in the form of peat. However, the nutrient content is low. The earth is characterized by a bluish or rusty color.

Forest-tundra

This zone is distinguished by the transition from tundra to taiga soils. The woodlands already look like forests. At the same time, plants are distinguished by surface stones. Permafrost in this zone begins at a level of 20 centimeters.

Taigi

The taiga is characterized by the almost complete absence of a permafrost zone. Therefore, the soils are podzolic. Under the influence of acids, iron is destroyed. At the same time, it is washed into the deep layers of the soil. Silica is formed in the upper structures. Taiga is characterized by weak undergrowth development. Fallen pine needles and moss are characterized by a long period of decomposition. The amount of humus in the taiga is small.

Broad-leaved and mixed forests

This zone is characterized by soddy-podzolic and brown soils. Various trees grow here - oaks, larches, birches, faces. Fallen leaves form a lot of humus.

At the same time, the layer of turf reduces the thickness of the soil. Therefore, soddy-podzolic soil contains a minimum of nitrogen and phosphorus. Brown soil contains many nutrients. Thanks to humus, they acquire a dark color.

Forest-steppe

This zone is characterized by high moisture evaporation. At the same time, in summer there are dry winds and dry weather. The forest-steppe is dominated by gray forest soils and chernozems. They are characterized by a high humus content and slow mineralization.

Steppes

This zone contains ordinary and low-humus chernozems. There are also dark chestnut soils here. The soil contains many useful elements.

Deserts and semi-deserts

These zones are characterized by chestnut soils. Moisture deficiency provokes the accumulation of salts. At the same time, the vegetation does not form a continuous cover. It has deep roots that help extract moisture. There is quite a bit of humus in such soil.

The most fertile Russian soils

Black soil is considered the most fertile soil. It accounts for 10% of the country's territory. The soil contains a lot of humus and calcium. It is found in the Central Black Earth economic region.

If agrotechnical rules are followed, podzolic soils also produce a good harvest. They are found in the European part of the country and in eastern Siberia. There are such lands in the Far East.

The soils of Russia are diverse. They differ in composition and structure. The use of soils in agriculture directly depends on the humus content in them.