Approaches to the Introduction of Human-Modified Soils in the Updated Version of the Soil Map of Russia, 1 : 2.5 M Scale (by the Example of Moscow Oblast)

Abstract

In the course of updating the soil map of the Russian Federation, 1 : 2.5 M scale (1988), Moscow oblast was chosen as a model object for testing the approaches to revise the map legend, which should be converted into the new Russian soil classification system, where much attention is paid to soils changed by human activities. This choice was made because of its rather simple natural soil cover (Albic Retisols predominate) along with high diversity and frequent occurrence of human-modified soils that should be shown on the map. Updating of the map database concerning natural Albic Retisols—soddy-podzolic soils was insignificant: few changes were introduced at the level of diagnostic properties, hence, subtypes. Arable soddy-podzolic soils were qualified for agro-soddy-podzolic soils if they occupy even surfaces, and they were named textural-differentiated agrozems if they are confined to slopes; the initial subtype diagnostics was mostly preserved. Soils of other land use categories—orchards, old estates, villages, dachas, urban-type settlements, were qualified for prograded or turbated agrozems, and intensely cultivated soils—for dark-humus stratozems; urban soils were referred to urbostratozems, ekranozems and diverse intergrades between these and natural soils. Deciphering of the space image of a model polygon located in a rather urbanized part of Moscow oblast permitted to identify soil associations for most common land-use types. However, introduction of all soils—ingredients of such associations—into the legend is limited by the small scale of the map, whereas introduction of the types of associations could contribute to a more adequate image of the soil cover in urbanized territories.