Ecological-geological systems of chalk massifs in the central part of Russian plate

The components of the ecological-geological systems of chalk massifs, including lithotope, edaphotope, microbiocenosis, phytocenosis and zoocenosis are characterized. The features of that lithotope are connected with high porosity and rapid soaking of chalk rocks. A special feature of chalk massif edaphotope is the opportunity of formation on chalk massifs short-profile soils with a poorly developed humus horizon on the slopes and thick carbonate chernozems on the wood of chalk soils at the foot of the slopes. It is shown that the features of the lithotope and edaphotope of chalk soil massifs determine the development of phytoand zoocenoses. Xerophytes — plants that can survive during a long period of dry soil, dominate among the flora. The fauna is represented by arthropods and invertebrates, adapted to life in the upper horizons of chalk massifs, characterized by optimal temperatures in winter and summer due to the low thermal conductivity of chalk deposits.