Soils of Kazakhstan

Soil is the surface fertile layer of the earth's crust. It is a unique wealth of any country, as it plays an important role in providing society with everything necessary for life. Depending on the vegetation and climate, the soil composition of the area also changes. The soil of Kazakhstan is characterized by clear zoning and altitudinal zones. In the country, about 86% of the territory is occupied by plains.

In the northern part of the republic they predominate chernozems. This zone is located throughout the North Kazakhstan region. Chernozems are located on moist steppe plains. They are the main grain-producing region.

To the south of the chernozems are located chestnut soils. Chestnut soils occupy Central Kazakhstan, part of the Caspian lowland. These soils are found in the steppe and semi-desert zones and occupy 34% of the country's territory. Humus content is 4-3%. They are divided into dark chestnut soils of the dry steppe, moderately dry steppe and light chestnut soils of the semi-desert.

The southern part of the territory covers brown and gray-brown soils. The humus content is low, approximately 1-2%. These areas are used mainly for livestock farming. Agriculture is possible only with irrigation.

In the mountains of Western Tien Shan there is a belt of brown soils, in the mountains of Tarbagatai and Western Altai there are chestnut, dark chestnut and chernozems. The soils of the foothills and mountains occupy 12,4% of our country.

Today in Kazakhstan there is a problem of soil erosion. According to the Institute of Soil Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, about 26% of the country’s soils are prone to erosion. About 52 million hectares are prone to wind erosion, 17 million hectares to water soil erosion.

The following measures are used to combat erosion:

1. Agrotechnical: proper tillage, snow retention.

2. Reclamation: protective plantings.

3.Hydraulic engineering: structures for strengthening ravines and others.