Soil-geographical characteristics of the western part of the democratic People’s Republic of Korea

Abstract

The specific character of soil cover in the territory of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is revealed, and the soil interpretation schemes in the key areas are compiled. It is established that the main soil resource for agriculture within the region’s low and middle mountains is provided by areas of weakly developed brown forest soils in the lower parts of slopes as well as by alluvial soils along the valleys of large and medium-sized rivers. Specifically, brown forest soils of slopes are used largely in dry farming and forestry, while soils along river valleys are utilized in rice cultivation. Soils of terraced slopes and rice fields have been transformed anthropogenically to the greatest extent.