Arctic and Tundra Micro-Associations on the Soil Map of Russia at a Scale of 1 : 2.5 million in the New Russian Soil Classification System

In the legend section "Complex soil cover" of the Soil Map of the RSFSR at a scale of 1:2.5 million (1988), compiled by the Dokuchaev Soil Science Institute, there are 29 units representing soil micro-associations — soil complexes. Their components are conventionally zonal arctic and tundra soils of the main surface, nanopolygons and hummocks, and soils of bare spots, soils of cracks and depressions. The map updating comprises the transfer of soil names into the terminology of the classification of soils of Russia in the map database, respectively, in the contours for each soil. In the case of soil micro-associations, it was performed for each of their components. Soils of spots — a unit of the map legend, are part of many complexes and are identified as small areas (decimeters — first meters) not covered with vegetation. In the updated DB they are divided by origin and properties into cryoabrazems formed as a result of wind and snow corrosion and/or surface loss of fine earth, and cryoturbozems — the results of heaving and consequent effusion of mineral material onto the surface. Soils of cracks are differentiated by the organic material filling them. The names of conventionally zonal soils have been changed in accordance with the general principles of soil classification of Russia: priority of diagnostic horizons and properties when identifying soil types and subtype, respectively.