Стадії ґрунтотворення підвісних ґрунтів Верховинського вододільного хребта Українських Карпат

Abstract

It was found out that suspended soils in Verkhovyna Dividing Range in Ukrainian Carpathians are intrazonal ones and are formed near dense sandstones outcrops in Krosnenska zone provided excess moisture of flushing type of water regime. Suspended soils are located within the mountain-forest and subalpine zones under moss lichen communities. They form habitats ranging from 0.1 to 1.0 square meter, oval and oblong shaped with the highest capacity of organic horizon in the central part with gradual reduction to the periphery. Suspended soils in Ukrainian Carpathians were mentioned for the first time in writings of Professor A. Zrazhevskyi. Formation of suspended soils in dense sandstones within Verkhovyna Dividing Range can occur in two ways: initial (primary) soil development and settlement of moss lichen communities from adjacent soil areas. Main stages of formation of soils under research are detected analyzing the succession of plant communities and morphological features of each section. Initial stage begins with the settlement of alga, bacteria, fungi, actinomyces, lichens (crustose and foliose) in centres of soil formation and formation of humified layer of dark gray colour up to 2 cm thick. Moss settlement on the developed organo-mineral layer and formation of organic (peat) horizon marks the beginning of development stage. Soils under research with formed organic horizon up to 10 cm thick are to be classified as initial suspended soils. The development stage is accompanied by accumulation of defunct organic remains (peat formation) and expansion of organic horizon (Td+T). Soils formed in Krosnenska zone in mild wind-blown sandstones with organic horizon more than 10 cm thick are at the stage of equilibrium functioning. It is advisable to define these soils as peat-suspended soils. Suspended soils are not represented in the nomenclature list of soils of Ukraine, that encourages conducting more detailed research on their classification. Patterns of distribution of soils under research and stages of soil formation were found out. Key words: Verkhovyna Diving range, suspended soils, the formation of peat, genesis, stages of soil formation.