Soils and landscapes of the Kzyladyr karst field in the Southern Urals

The specificity of soil and landscape conditions in the area of the Kzyladyr karst field in the western folding zone of the Southern Urals is discussed. Unique karst landscapes and soils developing from hard gypsum rocks, gypsiferous weathered mantles, and gypsiferous saline rocks are characterized. These soils strongly differ from the background soils on silicate rocks in their morphology and physicochemical properties. At present, the territory under study is subjected to considerable anthropogenic loads and requires special protection measures. It is suggested that it should be included in the system of specially protected territories. The relic, rare, and unique soils of the karst field should be included in the Red Data soil book.