STRUCTURAL-FUNCTIONAL ANALYSIS OF GILGAI SOIL MICROCOMPLEX - MORPHOLOGICAL FEATURES AND MOISTURE DYNAMICS

The moisture dynamics and the associated series of morphological featu res in soils of a three-member complex of gilgai microtopography art s tudied. Based on analyzing the relationship of the moisture dynamics w ith the expression and distribution of morphological features, the lat ter are divided into relict (not related to the modern water regime), developing (arising before the formation of gilgais and occurring in a ccordance with the modem wetness regime), and modem (arising after the formation of gilgais as a result of differentiation of the wetness re gime of the soils of the complex). The two-stage development of the so ils of this complex is established.