Study of basic indicative parameters for soil health in beech forests of Petrohan area, Western Bulgaria
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Date
2025-05-22
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Plovdiv University Press "Paisii Hilendarski"
Abstract
Soils in forest areas are one of the most vulnerable terrestrial ecosystems, which are subject to sensitive changes because of anthropogenic impact and global climate changes. Studying the main soil indicators on which soil health depends is essential to setting realistic goals for its maintenance and/or improvement. The study focuses on assessment of basic indicative soil parameters, which are directly related to the health status of the soil. A total of 10 soil profiles of Dystric Cambisols from Western Bulgaria were studied. The soil profiles were assessed as shallow. The average depth of A horizon was 11 cm. Very low pH values were established in A (3.7 to 5.3) and Bw horizons (3.8 to 4.7) of the soils which indicate ongoing acidification processes in soil depth. The studied soils were assessed as porous with ideal bulk density values. They were moderately (144 t/ha) to very well stocked (665 t/ha) with humus and total nitrogen, but poor on available potassium and phosphorous. All the soils were assessed as unsaturated with bases. Their base saturation (BS) values ranging between 5% and 34%. The obtained results showed that low soil depth, acidic soil reaction, low BS, and cation exchange capacity (CEC) are the main prerequisites for the deterioration of soil health. The studied soils are sensitive to acidification processes, which can lead to poor soil health status and, therefore, to soil degradation. It is highly recommended to continue the monitoring on the health status of these soils, because forest soils are becoming more and more susceptible to degradation processes.
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Keywords
forest soils, soil acidity, soil organic C, Cambisols