Genetic characteristics of permafrost-affected soils formed in bare circles of peat plateaus in bolshezemelskya tundra

Genetic features of tundra permafrost-affected soils developed in the contours of bare peat circles have been investigated. The study was conducted in a peat plateau located in Russian European North-East. Morphological structure, hydrothermal and basic physico-chemical properties in the peat surface-cryogenic permafrost-affected soils were under study. The characteristic of the studied soils have been given according to the two-component system "active layer-permafrost" along the catena «peat circle - shrub tundra». The impact of landscape factors on peat circle formation was accessed. Peat circle formation is shown to be affected by activation of cryogenic processes and surface erosion in the top of active layer.