Systematization of urban soils based on a new classification of soils in Russia

By the example of Khabarovsk, the author shows the genetic diversity of natural, anthropogenic-transformed and anthropogenic urban soils, including man−made surface (non-soil) formations. The work uses two approaches − ecological-functional and substantive-genetic. The first is based on the identification of soils with different degrees of disturbance and technogenicity. The second approach is based on the substantive and genetic principles of the modern classification of Russian soils and includes the structure of the morphological profile and soil properties analysis, in accordance with diagnostic horizons. The tabular form shows the position of urban soils in the high taxa hierarchical system of the modern «Classification and diagnostics of soils in Russia» (soil formation trunk – department – type of soils). The central taxonomic unit for both urban and natural soils classification is the soil type characterized by a unified system of genetic horizons and common properties. Formulas of soil profiles are given for all types of soils, and it is considered some features of soil formation in cities.