Humus condition of lithozems of the peripheral part of Khentii mountain forest-steppe (Mongolia)

The article studies the humus condition of lithozems (Mollic Leptosols) of the peripheral part of Khentii mountain forest-steppe, where the contrasting vegetation cover is represented by a combination of communities of larch grass forests, dwarf birch, tallgrass mes-ophytic meadows and cryomesophyte steppes. We have noted a different depth of transformation of plant residues, depending on the climatic conditions and the type of vegetation. It has been revealed that the exposure of slopes, which determines the level of moisture, is a leading factor in differentiation of the humus condition of lithozems.