Classification of anthropogenic soil transformation

Abstract

After human activity has expanded to the global extent, the need to formulate a modern evaluation system for such effect became substantially important. The present paper provides a solution of the problem by means of developing the terminology and conception of soil as well as shaping the classification system. To implement these goals, peculiarities of the term ‘soil’ are examined along with analyzing the mechanism of interdependence between anthropogenization and renaturalization processes and the areal distribution patterns of anthropogenically affected soils as well as the nature of anthropogenic transformation. In classifying anthropologically affected soils, the authors suggest to consider the character of anthropogenic effect and the degree of its impact. Chemically affected soils are attributed to slightly anthropogenic soils. When natural soils have experienced physical transformation up to 50 cm deep, they are considered as moderately anthropogenic (moved, altered, overcoated or destroyed). Strongly anthropogenic soils are those the section of which is physically transformed. Soils that form on anthropogenic soil-generating sediments are distinguished as a separate group and are proposed to be classified as ‘technogenic soils’