DYNAMICS OF HUMUS RESERVES AND FORECAST OF CARBON-INVESTING POTENTIAL OF ZONAL SOILS OF THE REPUBLIC OF TATARSTAN

The article analyzes the results of statistical processing of morphometric and agrochemical indicators of zonal soils of the Republic of Tatarstan based on the accumulated information of large-scale soil studies. The boundaries of genetic horizons are examined, the content of humus and its reserves within the limits of heavy loamy and clay varieties of arable soil subtypes is estimated. Arithmetic averages allow us to generalize the humus content in soils. So, in the series of sod-podzolic soils – light gray forest-gray forest – dark gray forest-podzolic chernozems – leached chernozems-typical soils in a layer of 0-30 cm on average contains 2,20; 2,58; 3,76; 4,76; 6,8; 7,6; 7,2 % humus. The observed patterns of humus accumulation in soils are also preserved in the distribution of its reserves – 85; 97; 140; 162; 233; 257; 240 tons per he-1. It is proposed to characterize the general population along the boundaries of typical values that fit into the 50% confidence interval to assess the overall range of spatial variability of humus indicators. The upper limit of the typicity will correspond to the greatest accumulation of humus with a combination of local features of soil formation factors and can serve as a guide for predicting carbon sequestration in the soils of this region. Accordingly, the carbon-sequestering potential of sod-podzolic soil and typical chernozem is-20 tons per he-1, light gray forest soil-22 tons per he-1, gray forest soil and leached chernozem-27 tons per he-1, the highest values in dark gray forest soil are more than 30 tons per he-1

THEORETICAL BASICS OF THE SCIENTIFIC TREND OF INFORMATIONAL SOIL SCIENCE

The definition of informational soil science as a new trend of soil science is proposed, and includes a system of ordering, collecting, storing and analyzing of the soil data at different hierarchical levels, obtaining continuous in space and time information on soil conditions for modeling and balanced use, reproduction and management of soils, resources based on environmental, social, environmental, economic and legal requirements. The subject of informational soil science is all aspects of the functioning of information, namely: (1) the processes of origin, transmission, storage, processing, dissemination of information about the soil, its properties and soil processes; (2) ways to manage information processes; (3) general patterns of influence of information processes on the nature of applied communications in soil science. Traditional and modern methods of analysis of soil information, which form the modern methodological apparatus of informational soil science, are also considered. Peculiarities of formation of thematic databases of soil formation factors, in particular determining geomorphological factor, and use of spatial analytical functions of soil information systems in modeling of influence of a relief on development of erosion processes of a certain territory are considered. Since informational soil science, as an applied trend of soil science, is considered an integrated scientific subject, it also uses the methods and achievements of many applied and humanitarian sciences. It can be argued that in connection with the development of a new direction of organization and analysis of soil data based on automated information systems, new terminology borrowed from computer science, computer theory and programming is widely used in soil science, the vocabulary of concepts in mathematics is significantly expanded. This is an inevitable and necessary for our science process that helps to increase its efficiency in connection with the use of modern achievements of these relatively new disciplines. Keywords: soil information; informatiology; data base; informational soil science.

Development of Podzols in relation to Jenny's soil formation factors

<p>Podzols are considered to be the most common upland forest soil type in Finland. However, there have only been a few studies that have examined the degree of podsolization in Finnish soils. More detailed information about this dominating process in our soils can be utilized in other kinds of environmental research such as the impacts of climate change, carbon and nutrient cycling, and the degradation of soil and water systems.</p><p>We studied how the intensity of podsolization is related to Jenny’s classic five soil formation factors: climate, parent material, topography, biotic and time. The degree of podzolization of 86 soil profiles distributed over the whole of Finland was described using four podzolization indices: E-horizon thickness, B-horizon rubification, profile Al+Fe oxide eluviation-illuviation, and their sum (Podzolization Development Index, PDI). The soil profiles, selected out of over 600 soil profiles in a national database, met the World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB) criteria for them to be classified as Podzols. The relationship between the podzolization indices and a number of site and soil variables (continuous and categorical) describing Jenny’s soil formation factors were then evaluated. While podzolization intensity was found to be related to soil profile age, elevation, longitude, forest site type, aspect, Sphagnum moss cover and B-horizon texture, the individual relationships were weak. However, looking at the combined effect of all the variables using Partial Least Squares regression analysis, which is unaffected by multicollinearity among the predictor variables, nearly 70% of the measured PDI index could be explained.</p>

Ukrainian Agronomic Soil Science: Textbook. In 2 parts; editor M.I. Polupan. Part 1: Historical stages of development. Soil formation factors. Regularities of soil formation on an ecological-genetic parametric systemic basis, their agronomic properties, and fertility

The textbook is devoted to the soil resources of Ukraine, as an indispensable natural and economic potential for use in agricultural production to meet the needs of society with food products. Their great diversity is shown due to the component composition regarding the zonation of the ecological and genetic status of soils. The soil resources are shown to have a functionally systematic relationship between ecological conditions of formation, agronomic properties, and their productive capacity. Due to a large amount of information, the textbook is conventionally divided into two parts. The first part presents the historical stages of the formation of agro-soil science as fundamental science, parametric systematic development of zonal soil formation and formation of soil properties depending on their genetic nature, the quantitative functional relationship between modes and processes of soil formation, its types, fertility of soils as their anthropogenic biological property, factors of formation, its kinds, methods of determination and parameters of productive capacity of basic agricultural crops. The textbook "Ukrainian Agronomic Soil Science" presents basic information about soil resources of Ukraine in the aspect of agronomic orientation regarding their zonally determined ecological-genetic status of soils, their properties, productive capacity, protection, increase of fertility, and intelligent use. It is recommended for the preparation of bachelors in agronomic higher education institutions of II–IV levels of accreditation in the field of «Agronomy», as well as for biological, geographical and other higher educational establishments, graduate students and a wide range of specialists related to the land cadastre of Ukraine, fertility assessment rational use of soils.

Contemporary approaches towards the problem of evaluation of soil formation potential

At the given stage of soil science development the problem of soil formation potential diagnostics is of great importance, for it is directly linked to the soil fertility reproduction. The evaluative characteristic of soil formation factor ability to provide the formation of soils and their specific properties within a certain period of time is the soil formation potential of those factors. The article reviews in detail contemporary conceptions of soil formation potential evaluation proposed by different authors. Key words: soil, soil formation factors, the problem of diagnostics, the evaluation of soil formation potential.

Soil formation potential of natural soil formation factors of Zmiiny island

The article assesses soil formation potential of several factors allocated on Zmiiny island, particularly the climate and atmospheric conditions of the territory, the solid silicate rocks from the island's surface, and the biological factors of soil formation. This assessment derives from analysis of the natural soil formation factors of Zmiiny island, their geo-genetic specifications and role in soil formation. The biological factor is crucial in formation of the uncommonly rich in humus (10–15 % of humus and more) and NPK rich chornozem soils which possess tendency to increase their chornozem properties and profile depth with time. Key words: Zmiiny island, soil formation potential of the natural soil formation factors.