Soils and soil resources of the Komi Republic: stages of research, results and prospects

The retrospective analysis of the results of fundamental and applied researches in the field of studying of soils and soil cover of the Republic of Komi was carried out. It is shown that the Republic of Komi is characterized by the richest fund of the land resources having mainly forest value. The insignificance of agricultural development of land resources of the Republic of Komi is noted. The specified data on the area of the basic types and subtypes of soils in the republic territory is given. The basic stages in studying the soils of the republic are identified, each stage is in details characterized, the significant fundamental and applied results of soil researches obtained within each stage are given, the contribution of soil scientists of Komi to the solution of problems of genetic soil science within concrete historical period is shown. The transition at the present stage of soil researches to deep studying of mechanisms and processes of functioning of soils as components of land ecosystems on the basis of strengthening the researches in the field of chemistry and biology of soils is noted. These researches allowed to essentially expand the ideas and the understanding of features of formation of high- and low-molecular humus substances in soils of taiga and tundra landscapes of the European Northeast, peculiarities of formation of soil biota, functional diversity of soil microorganisms, their change under the influence of natural and anthropogenous factors. Activization at the present stage of research of various aspects of formation and functioning of soils in conditions of the East European sector of the Arctic and Subarctic regions is noted. Perspective directions of the further soil researches in territory of the Republic of Komi, allowing to solve in the near future not only fundamental problems of soil-formation in plain and mountain landscapes of the European Northeast, but also a number of applied problems, significant for development of the industry and agriculture of the Republic of Komi, are planned.