Evolution of scientific views at factors of chernozem soil formation and development

Abstract

Based on the comparative-historical method, we considered scientific theories about factors of chernozem formation (soil-forming material, relief, climate, vegetation and animal life, time, human) in the paper, their interrelated impact on the formation and evolution of steppe soils reflected in works of F.I. Ruprecht, V.V. Dokuchaev, P.S. Kossovich, S.S. Nestruev, P.A. Kostychev, V.R. Williams, H. Jenny, S.A. Waksman, and other researchers. Taking into account ecosystem significance in the functioning of the steppe landscapes and the high degree of agricultural development of chernozem soils, intensification of degraded processes, a necessity of understanding of the real influence of natural and anthropogenic factors on chernozem evolution is urgent as it serves a basis for the design of ways of steppe soils restoration. Therefore, in the scientific community, an interest was arisen to solve Dokuchaev and Jenny’s equations identifying the functional relation between earth and soil formation factors. At the degree of accumulation of informational data on chernozem changeability in time and space, it has emerged conditions to develop approaches contradicting soil degradation processes.