Measuring and mapping of soil diversity using landscapemetrics package (on example of the Central-Chernozem region)

Using the landscapemetrics package in the R statistical computing environment, a quantitative assessment and mapping of soil diversity in the Central-Chernozem Region (the Central Black Earth Region) and the Oryol Region was performed. The input data for the analysis was the soil map of the Central-Chernozem Region, compiled in 1983 at a scale of 1:600 000. The vector version of this map was converted into a discrete raster with a spatial resolution of 1 000 m/px. Based on these data, four landscape metrics were calculated: Shannon diversity index, Simpson diversity index, conditional entropy and marginal entropy. The calculation was performed at three scale levels: for the entire Central-Chernozem Region, for individual regions and for each pixel of the original map. Local values for each pixel of the original soil map were calculated in a circular moving window with a radius 25 km. As a result, rasters of landscape metrics were obtained, the analysis of which made it possible to identify general patterns in the spatial distribution of soil diversity in the Central-Chernozem Region. It was found that the nature of alternation of areas of increased and decreased soil diversity differs in the steppe and forest-steppe parts of the Central-Chernozem Region. In the forest-steppe, alternation occurs from west to east, and in the steppe—from north to south. In general, the territory of the Central-Chernozem Region can be divided into four areas of increased soil diversity and three areas of decreased soil diversity. In the forest-steppe part of the Central-Chernozem Region, there are three areas of increased and two areas of decreased soil diversity. In the steppe part of the Central-Chernozem Region, there is one area of increased and one area of decreased soil diversity. Areas of increased soil diversity are characterized by their confinement to the boundaries of large natural regions (vegetation zones or geomorphological provinces). Areas of decreased soil diversity are characterized by their confinement to the central parts of large natural regions.