XEROPHYTIC FOREST CHERNOZEMS: BALANCE OF MINERALS

Abstract

Calculation of the balance of minerals showed that in xerophytic forest chernozems of the Southern Moldova processes of transformation of their mineral base go according to the eluvial type and with much greater intensity than in surrounding zonal ordinary chernozems. It was also found that these soils do not exhibit of illuvial properties typical to other forest soils, but for a more pronounced degradation of the mineral base in comparison to regional chernozems, xerophytic forest chernozems seemingly should be treated as forest soils.