Soil zoning of the lake Baikal basin: an environmental approach

Based on many years of research in Russia and Mongolia, we have compiled a soil-ecological map of the Lake Baikal basin using a unified methodology and classification. It is a kind of integrated information carrier, which reflects the factors of soil formation: climate, relief, subsurface rocks, vegetation. 9 soil-ecological provinces and 28 soil-ecological zones were identified within the studied territory. Each province combines soil composites with relatively close indicators of Budyko dryness index, sum of biologically active temperatures, type and productivity of vegetation. When distinguishing zones, lithological and geomorphological features (rocks, and relief) were taken into account. The information presented is the basis for considering the evolutionary and genetic features of soils and landscapes formation in the intracontinental zones of Northern Asia.