Published in: Natural environment of Poland and its protection in Łódź University Geographical Research, edited by E. Kobojek and T.MarszałThe vast majority (as much as 92%) of soil resources in Poland occur in lowlands and uplands, and only 8% of the area of Poland has the characteristics of mountain soils. Nearly a half (46%) of soils in Poland is created of sandy formations of various origins – usually with a slightly acidic pH. Soils of the Łódź region were mainly formed from sands, and to a lesser degree from clays, silts and organogenic formations. Brown, lessive, podzolic and rusty soils dominate here. Chernozems, fensoils, organogenic soils (peat, muck and silt soils) and rendzinas are also present. Owing to their sandy grain-size composition, they are most often light and very light for cultivation. Most soils are acidified. Socioeconomic and natural conditions have determined the utilisation structure of soils in the Łódź region, where arable lands constitute 60% of the area and grasslands – less than 10%
