Abstract
In this article, we analyzed the morphological characteristics, physicochemical properties, and mechanical (particle size distribution) composition of the soil cover of Almaty. To analyze the physicochemical properties of urban soils, soil profiles were laid in mountain chernozems, low-humus heavy loamy forest-meadow soils formed on coarse-silt yellow-brown eluvial-deluvial deposits, as well as in mountain dark chestnut and mountain gray-chestnut soils. The particle size distribution of the soil profiles is characterized by a predominance of fine fractions (<0.01 mm), which account for 41–51%, indicating a medium- to heavy-textured soil. In terms of water-physical properties, the soil bulk density varies from 0.96 to 1.43 g/cm³, and the total porosity is 38–59%, with soils in forested areas having a higher water-holding capacity. In terms of agrochemical parameters, humus content ranges from 1.44 to 6.21%, with the highest values recorded in the soils of the Bauma grove. Mobile nutrient elements are predominantly concentrated in the upper horizons of the soil profile and decrease with depth, reflecting the level of biological activity and natural soil fertility.