The soil cover of Central Kamchatka (GIS model)

摘要

The spatial distribution of major soil horizons and layers of pyroclastic deposits in Kamchatka was analyzed with the use of GIS technologies. For this purpose, the attribute soil database and the computer-supported cartographic database were developed. Their analysis with the help of GIS technologies made it possible to study the dependence of the morphology of soil profiles on the bioclimatic conditions and on the stratification of ash layers in the particular areas of Kamchatka and to develop the cartographic model of the areas of soil horizons. The concept of tephra stratotypes-the particular combinations of ash layers in the profiles of volcanic soils-was verified on the basis of factual materials. It was shown that tephra stratotypes affect many important soil properties and specify the direction of soil formation in Kamchatka. Several major tephra stratotypes differing in their morphology and environmentally important features were distinguished in Central Kamchatka. The method of soil mapping on the basis of the concept of tephra stratotypes with due account for the specificity of surface organic horizons of soils was developed. It is argued that this method makes it possible to reflect the specificity of soil formation in volcanic regions.