Trends in mountain soil formation in different types of altitude banding

A new concept of groups of structural types of altitude soil banding is proposed which considers the diversity of these types and different kinds of deviations from the general principles of formation of altitude soil banding. It is based on separation of the structural types into those in whose soils the features of past soil formation (soils of modern genesis corresponding to modern conditions of the landscape) and structural types in which, with detailed soil studies (mainly based on the composition of the organic matter), signs of the inherited past stage of soil formation can be determined. Analysis of the morphostructures of mountain regions allows prediction of the presence of areas or belts within structural types of altitude soil banding with the predominance of modem soil formation or soil formation with inherited features of its past stage.