Properties and diversity of cambisols of the coastal mountains at the east coast of lake Baikal

The article studies cambisols formed on the coastal mountains of Lake Baikal, reveals their morphological, micromorphological and physico-chemical features. The key soil- forming processes in cambisols are weathering and claying. Migration of silts is characteristic of clay-illuvial subtypes. The considered ratios of groups of iron compounds reflect the development of the studied soils by the type of brown formation. We have identified two types of soils: cambisols and coarse-humus cambisols, the latter dominate. A favorable factor for their formation is the warm microclimate of the lake Baikal. Nowadays, in light of the intensification of recreational impact on the coastal territories of lake Baikal the research of soils aimed at identifying their properties, biological diversity, and classification is seemed quite relevant.