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Phoenix Ecology Plant and soil ecological consultancy |
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Examples of our services: Conservation management of species-rich meadows Restoring species-rich grasslands
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Research on soils on gypsum rocks, NW Russia | ||
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Globally unique soils formed on gyprock ('hard gypsum') within gypsum karst landscapes in the north-west Russia are named 'Sulpho rendzinas'. The typical Sulpho-rendzina has a raw-humus organic horizon and pure gypsum mineral part. The soil cover dominated by these gypsum soils supports species-rich oligotrophic taiga communities - 'open woodlands' - with rare and endangered plants (Gypsophila uralensis etc.). The high solubility of gypsum means that Sulpho-rendzinas are highly susceptible to the effects of climate change. Soil loss through gypsum dissolution can cause damage to the vegetation cover, and consequently, trigger soil erosion. However, the major threats to gypsum soils and associated gypsum karst ecosystems come from commercial gypsum mining. Please have a look at Sulphorendzinas on the study sites and in the laboratory, consider our findings and the model of soil genesis and read about the world-wide diversity of soils on gypsum rocks. Then I hope to exchange some ideas regarding their future research and conservation. Please feel free to contact us for discussion!
Click to go to:
study sites -
laboratory analyses
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findings -
model of soil genesis
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