Deciphering the history of forest disturbance and its effects on landforms and soils : lessons from a pit-and-mound locality at Rogowa Kopa, Sudetes, SW Poland

The historical dimension of pit-and-mound topography has been studied at Mt Rogowa Kopa locality, Stołowe Mountains, SW Poland. This site represents one of the best developed regional examples of hummocky forest floor relief due to widespread tree uprooting and subsequent degradation of root plates. Through map analysis and dendrochronology the disturbance history was traced at least to the 1930s and most likely a strong wind episode from 1933 was the reason of forest calamity that resulted in nearly complete destruction of the original stand. However, the forest affected was a planted Norway spruce monoculture, introduced and managed at least till the beginning of 20th century, not a natural forest. The windthrow niche was then used by beech whose individuals preferentially chose mounds to grow, conserving hummocky microtopography. Changes in soil evolutionary pathways brought about by wind-driven disturbance include both homogenization (rejuvenation) and horizonation (differentiation). Evidence of soil rejuvenation includes decrease of organic carbon content and pH increase in the upper parts of soils developed on mounds in comparison with undisturbed references soils. Soil texture was relatively homogenized in pits and mounds. Dating of pit-and-mound microrelief by means of soil properties (organic carbon content, iron forms) was only partly successful. Although young age of pits and mounds is evident, the actual age inferred from soil properties was underestimated by a few tens of years. Evaluation of factors potentially controlling the propensity to widespread treethrow suggests that the type of forest is a far more important variable than local abiotic factors of bedrock geology, regolith characteristics, and slope inclination

Natural value of mountain debris soils

The paper deals with debris soils, a characteristic feature of mountain landscapes. Profiles of debris soils from the Tatras, Sudetes and Flysch Carpathians are presented and analyzed in relation with parent materials, altitude above sea level, landforms and vegetation. The authors point out a different genesis of coarse-fraction materials including periglacial weathering, gravitational processes as well as moraine deposition and landsliding. Characteristic, common properties of debris soils are described, two evolutional variants are distinguished and the systematic position of these soils in various soil classifications is also discussed. The authors emphasize an important ecological and hydrological role of debris soils

Polish Soil Classification, 6th edition – principles, classification scheme and correlations

The sixth edition of the Polish Soil Classification (SGP6) aims to maintain soil classification in Poland as a modern scientific system that reflects current scientific knowledge, understanding of soil functions and the practical requirements of society. SGP6 continues the tradition of previous editions elaborated upon by the Soil Science Society of Poland in consistent application of quantitatively characterized diagnostic horizons, properties and materials; however, clearly referring to soil genesis. The present need to involve and name the soils created or naturally developed under increasing human impact has led to modernization of the soil definition. Thus, in SGP6, soil is defined as the surface part of the lithosphere or the accumulation of mineral and organic materials permanently connected to the lithosphere (through buildings or permanent constructions), coming from weathering or accumulation processes, originated naturally or anthropogenically, subject to transformation under the influence of soilforming factors, and able to supply living organisms with water and nutrients. SGP6 distinguishes three hierarchical categories: soil order (nine in total), soil type (basic classification unit; 30 in total) and soil subtype (183 units derived from 62 unique definitions; listed hierarchically, separately in each soil type), supplemented by three non-hierarchical categories: soil variety (additional pedogenic or lithogenic features), soil genus (lithology/parent material) and soil species (soil texture). Non-hierarchical units have universal definitions that allow their application in various orders/types, if all defined requirements are met. The paper explains the principles, classification scheme and rules of SGP6, including the key to soil orders and types, explaining the relationships between diagnostic horizons, materials and properties distinguished in SGP6 and in the recent edition of WRB system as well as discussing the correlation of classification units between SGP6, WRB and Soil Taxonomy

Występowanie bielicowania w glebach wytworzonych z fliszu na Pogórzu Wielickim (Zewnętrzne Karpaty Zachodnie, południowa Polska)

Proces bielicowania odgrywa kluczową rolę w kształtowaniu siedlisk leśnych i magazynowaniu węgla organicznego w glebach. Na Pogórzu Karpackim rozwój gleb bielicowych jest utrudniony przez właściwości materiału macierzystego – przede wszystkim bezwęglanowych utworów lessowych lub zwietrzeliny skał fliszowych. Sporadycznie na tym obszarze występują jednak gleby objęte procesem bielicowania. Celem pracy było określenie progu występowania bielicowania w glebach wytworzonych z fliszowego materiału macierzystego występującego lokalnie na Pogórzu Wielickim oraz określenie przestrzennego zróżnicowania gleb na badanych stokach. Wyniki wykazały, że przekroczenie progu bielicowania jest związane przede wszystkim z występowaniem materiału macierzystego o piaszczystym uziarnieniu i o niskiej zawartości frakcji iłowej oraz o niskiej zawartości żelaza. Ponadto, różnice w tempie rozkładu materii organicznej również mogą mieć wpływ na zainicjowanie w glebach procesu bielicowania. Gleby w badanym transekcie stokowym wykazały wzrost zawartości frakcji iłowej i pedogenicznych półtoratlenków żelaza i glinu w ujęciu katenalnym. Formowanie si ę akumulacyjnych gleb w niższych po łożeniach stokowych może być związane z wyższym pH materiału macierzystego, który wpływa na strącanie składników gleby z roztworu przemieszczającego się śródpokrywowo wzdłuż stoku. Ponadto skutki bocznego przepływu roztworów ograniczają obszar występowania intensywnego bielicowania. Dlatego też uwzględnienie efektów bocznego bielicowania ma kluczowe znaczenie dla prawidłowego określenia warunków siedliskowych lasu, oceny potencjału sekwestracji węgla organicznego, a także w kartografii gleb.Podzolization process play a key role in the conditioning of forest habitats and the storage of organic carbon in soils. In the Carpathian Foothills development of Podzols is hampered either by the properties of the loess cover or the major part of the flysch parent material. However, soils subjected to podzolization occur sporadically in this area. The aim of this study was to determine the threshold of podzolization occurrence in the flysch parent material occurring locally in the Wieliczka Foothills and to determine the spatial variability of soils on a hillslope. The results showed that shift into podzolization is primarily related to the occurrence of sand-textured parent materials with low contents of clay and iron. Secondly, differences in organic matter decomposition rates may also affected podzolization. Soils in the investigated slope transect showed catenary increase of clay and pedogenic oxides contents. The formation of accumulative soils in the lower slope positions may be related with higher pH of the parent material that affects precipitation of soil constituents from laterally translocated solution. Furthermore, the effects of lateral soil solution flux limits the area where intensive vertical podzolization occur. Thus, considering lateral podzolization is crucial for correct determination of forest habitat conditions, estimations of soil organic carbon sequestration potential as well as in soil cartography

Geological and geomorphological conditions of soil developement in mountain areas at the example of Kostrzyna catena (Kamienne Mountains)

The thesis presents conditions of soil development in Kamienne Mountains which are results of geological differentiation of the area and geomorphological processes which are taking place on slopes. The slope catena partially covered by different types of mass wasting processes was investigated for soil properties and it's genesis. Variability of soil properties and morphology of soil profiles depending on lithological structure, relief and slope inclination was observed. It was found that geological structure plays the most crucial role in development of soil properties affecting it directly or indirectly.W pracy omawiane są uwarunkowania rozwoju pokrywy glebowej w obszarze Gór Kamiennych wynikające ze zróżnicowania budowy geologicznej i zachodzących na stoku procesów geomorfologicznych. Do badań właściwości i genezy gleb wybrano katenę stokową częściowo objętą ruchami masowymi różnego typu. Zaobserwowano zmienność właściwości i morfologii profili glebowych w zależności od struktury litologicznej, formy terenu i nachylenia stoku. Stwierdzono, że budowa geologiczna odgrywa najistotniejszą rolę w kształtowaniu się właściwości gleb wpływając na ich rozwój w sposób bezpośredni lub pośredni

Properties and classification of soils developed on Holocene river deposits in upper San river valley near Tarnawa Wyżna

The paper presents a study of the diversity of soil properties on a sequence of Holocene river terraces. The main properties taken into consideration include soil profile morphology, particle size distribution, organic carbon content, pH and base saturation. Changes in these properties are discussed in relation to literature concerning soil development on alluvial materials throughout Europe and explained as a result of different time of evolution since the cease of flooding. The systematic position of the studied soils within the new Polish soil classification is also presented as well as their classification according to the international WRB system