Analysis of spatial humus distribution in virgin and arable Chernozems in the eroding landscapes

Abstract

Abstract A statistical assessment of data on the content and spatial distribution of humus in virgin and arable Chernozems on slopes in the south of the forest-steppe zone of the Central Russian Upland was performed. The greatest number of statistically significant differences between arable and virgin Chernozems was found for the upper soil layer (0–20 cm). At the depths of 200–40, 600–80, and 800–100 cm, the differences between these two groups of soils regarding the humus content were statistically insignificant. Data on the spatial distribution of humus in the layer of 00–20 cm indicated that high- and medium-humus Chernozems (>9.0 and 6.00–9.0% of humus) predominate on the slopes under virgin vegetation; medium-humus Chernozems with small patches of low-humus (<4%) Chernozems compose the soil cover of the slopes under arable fields.