Dark Mountainous Forest and Mountainous Meadow Soils

Abstract

Ecological conditions and in particular soil forming factors responsible for the development of dark mountainous forest and mountainous meadow soil are described in this chapter. The genetic approach toward the dynamic of evolution of the dark mountainous forest and mountainous meadow soil type is based on the conception of genetic horizons and explanation of soil properties. In relation with different soil forming factors the contemporary profiles status of dark mountainous forest and mountainous meadow soil type is presented. Morphological, physical, chemical, and mineralogical soil characteristics are results of the soil development stages and depend on the intensity and duration of weathering and soil forming processes. Products of these processes are the free (non-silicate) forms of elements released through the destruction of the primary mineral lattices. Their content along depth of the soil profile illustrates the extent of the processes that have occurred during soil development. Scientific information and data from the large soil surveys provide the sequence of genetic horizons, soil texture, structure, main physical and chemical properties and national classification, FAO-UNESCO-ISRIC (1990), WRB (2006), and Keys to Soil Taxonomy (2010).