Gray-Brown Forest Soils

Abstract

Ecological conditions, and in particular the soil forming factors responsible for gray-brown forest soil development are described in this chapter. The genetic approach toward the dynamic evolution of the type of gray-brown forest soils is based on the conception of genetic horizons and the explanation of soil properties. In relation to different soil forming factors such as topography, parent materials, climate, vegetation, time, and human influence, the contemporary profiles status of the gray-brown forest soil type is presented and the best use of the land is indicated. 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 the soil development. Sound scientific information and data from the large soil surveys carried out over the country’s territory provides the sequence of genetic horizons, soil texture, structure, main physical and chemical properties, and national classification FAO-UNESCO-ISRIC (1990), WRB (2006), Keys to Soil Taxonomy (2010).