Tundra Soil in Relation to Vegetation, Permafrost and Glaciation

MIDDENDORF (1864) applied the term tundra to the treeless land surfaces of the arctic regions not covered by glaciers. Defined in this way, the tundra is characterized negatively by the absence of trees and positively by certain geomorphic features and specific vegetation. Middendorf distinguished between the high tundra with relatively dry mineral soils and the low tundra with wet peat soils having bog or marsh-type vegetation. After the tundra had been recognized as a unique region it could similarly be expected that soils within the area had unique characteristics. Dokuchaev in his monumental writings during the latter part of the nineteenth century designated Tundra as a normal (climatic) soil along with Light Grey Podzolized soils, Grey and Dark Grey soils, Chernozem, Chestnut and Brown soils, Desert soils (yellow and white) and Laterite (AFANASIEV 1927). Later each of these soils became known as a Great Soil Group. With recognition of the Great Soil Groups, considerable field and laboratory investigation followed for most of these soils but the arctic region, unfortunately, became the stepchild of the pedologist and, except in comparatively few cases, scientific investigation was never initiated. During the past half century many inferences have been made as to the processes and role of vegetation, permafrost, and glaciation in arctic soil development; the effect of these factors on soil genesis, however, has never been fully stated. In addition, soil genesis in the far north as compared to that in the contiguous forested areas, has never been analyzed.