Morphology and selected properties of peat bog soils located in the Syhłowaciec valley near Wołosate village (Bieszczady National Park)

The paper presents the outline of research on the ombrogenic raised peat bog located in the Syhłowaciec valley, near Wołosate village (Bieszczady National Park, Western Bieszczady Mts). The age, location, trophism and size of studied peat bog were analyzed. Measurements were focused on determination of the potential impact of the drainage process upon the basic properties of studied organic soils

PROPERTIES OF HUMUS HORIZONS OF SOILS DEVELOPED IN THE LOWER MONTANE BELT IN THE TATRA MOUNTAINS

The aim of the study is to evaluate differences occurring in the soil humus horizons between different types of forests. Soil samples were collected from spruce monoculture and natural beech sites within the lower montane zone in the Tatra Mountains. They were analyzed for organic carbon (OC), loss on ignition in ectohumus horizons, pH, fractional composition of organic matter and cellulose decomposition rate. The objects of investigation are two profiles representing Rendzic Leptosols under spruce and beech, one profile formed on cover bed, which can be classified as Haplic Leptosol under spruce forest and one Haplic Cambisol under the beech site. It is shown that different tree species strongly affect features of both ectohumus and endohumus horizons. This is visible in morphology of humus horizons as well as humus fraction composition which leads to acidification and to a descending cellulose decomposition rate. Another factor controlling features of humus horizons is parent material. It seems to be possible to separate effects which are results of vegetation and parent material features

Land use effects on soil organic carbon sequestration in calcareous Leptosols in former pastureland : a case study from the Tatra Mountains (Poland)

The purpose of the paper is to describe soil organic carbon (SOC) sequestration rates in calcareous shallow soils in reforested areas in the Tatra Mountains with a particular focus on different forms of organic matter (OM) storage. Three plant communities creating a mosaic on the slopes of the studied valley were taken into account. Fifty years since the conversion of pastureland to unused grassland, dwarf pine shrub and larch forest have emerged in the study area, along with the development of genetic soil horizons as well as SOC sequestration in the soil despite the steepness of slopes. SOC stock was measured to be the highest in soils under larch forest (63.5 Mg ha−1), while in soil under grassland and under dwarf pine shrub, this value was found to be smaller (47.5 and 42.9 Mg ha−1, respectively). The highest amount of mineral-associated OM inside stable microaggregates (MOM FF3) was found in grassland soil (21.9–27.1 % of SOC) and less under dwarf pine shrub (16.3–19.3 % of SOC) and larch forest (15.3–17.7 % of SOC). A pool of mineral-associated OM inside transitional macroaggregates (MOM FF2) was found in soil under dwarf pine shrub (39.2–59.2 % of SOC), with less under larch forest (43.8–44.7 % of SOC) and the least in grassland soil (37.9–41.6 % of SOC). The highest amount of the free light particulate fraction (POM LF1) was found in soil under dwarf pine shrub (6.6–10.3 % of SOC), with less under larch forest (2.6–6.2 % of SOC) and the least in grassland soil (1.7–4.8 % of SOC)

General description and soils properties of hanging peat bog on the north-eastern slope of Mt Szeroki Wierch (Western Bieszczady Mts)

The preliminary characteristic of hanging peat bog on the north-eastern slope of Mt Szeroki Wierch (Western Bieszczady Mts) with particular emphasis on properties and typology of the peaty soils was the main aim of the study. Genesis of the hanging peat bog is described basing on comparison with present and historical researches and the results of the studies. Laboratory analysis included: ash content, soil pH, the degree of decomposition of peat material and the content of total carbon and nitrogen. Radiocarbon dating of two samples was made

Influence of a fertilizer stockpile on soil and water properties in a protected area – a case study from Tarnawa Wyżna in the Bieszczady National Park

After the displacement of population at the end of 1940s, soils of the upper San valley were subject to natural plant succession. In 1980s a large remediation programme was carried out in the studied area - the study was aimed to investigate the impact of one of the many abandoned fertilizer stockpiles. The research has shown only a relatively small and spatially limited influence of the stockpile on soil properties expressed mainly in pH changes and an increase in soil compactness. The obtained results indicate that soil, owing to its filtering role, prevents the spreading of calcium and phosphorus compounds, potentially able to eutrophicate the environment

Reaction (pH) of the peat at the upper horizon of Wołosate peat bog and its surroundings (Bieszczady National Park)

The paper presents the outline of a field research on the Wołosate peat bog, in the Bieszczady National Park (Western Bieszczady Mountains). Renaturalization procedures, conducted in this area, resulted in the accumulation of water and formation of minor water reservoirs in the northern and north-eastern part of the peat bog. Measurements and analyses are aimed at the determination of pH of Wołosate peat bog in order to focus attention on their potential eutrophication

Characteristics of post-agricultural soils in the former village of Caryńskie

The former village o f C aryhskie was one o f the most remote locations in the Western Bieszczady. A ra th e r primitive agricultural activity over hundreds o f years led to a significant homogenization o f the soil cover. Since the displacement o f the village population in 1940s, the soils have been subject to renaturalization processes expressed mainly in the formation o f a new surface A horizon within the former plowed Ap still observed in the soil profiles

Application of various standards of pH measurement to determine reaction classes of selected soils in the upper San valley

The paper presents a study of different procedures of soil reaction measurement carried out on selected soil profiles in the Upper San Valley. It is also aimed to assess the usefulness of pH-based indices used in various national and international soil classification systems that can be applied to classify the soils of the Western Bieszczady Mts