Soil-geomorphological mapping of Samoylov Island based on UAV imaging

Abstract

Soil-geomorphological mapping is a reliable tool for analyzing the patterns of soil distribution in various parts of Earth’s surface. Cryogenic and watershed areas are the most dynamic landscapes with relatively rapid transformation under the influence of climate change and river activity. The soil-geomorphological map obtained by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) imaging, classical soil sections, geomorphological observation, and determination of the main chemical parameters of soils are presented. Mapping of the spatial distribution was performed using QGIS 3.22, SAGA GIS 7.9.1, and ArcGIS 10.6 software. The investigation of soil cover was performed according to WRB soil classification. From the obtained data, four types of soils were identified due to their position in the relief and chemical parameters. The dominant soil type is Folic Cryosol (Siltic) (41.1%) which is formed on the periglacial landscape of wet polygons on Samoylov Island. The application of high-resolution UAV imaging to construct soil-geomorphological maps is the most relevant method for analyzing soils formed in cryogenic, watershed, and mountainous landscapes. Based on SOC distribution, it was found that the highest SOC content corresponds to Holocene terrace (Cryosol and Histosol soil types), in areas that are not subject to the flooding process. According to the analysis of the chemical composition of soils, it was found that the main elements accumulating in the soil are SiO2, Al2O3, CaO, and K2O, which have a river origin. The soil-geomorphological maps can be used to analyze the reserves and contents of organic and inorganic components with high accuracy.