SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF SELECTED PHYSICO-CHEMICAL SOIL PROPERTIES IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE ŚWIĘTOKRZYSKIE (HOLY CROSS) MOUNTAINS

Natural Environment Monitoring 2011, No 12, 93-101

SPATIAL VARIABILITY OF SELECTED PHYSICO-CHEMICAL SOIL PROPERTIES IN THE CENTRAL PART OF THE ŚWIĘTOKRZYSKIE (HOLY CROSS) MOUNTAINS

Rafał Kozłowski, Edyta Adwent

 

Summary

In the present study, the results of research into the problem of soil acidification, conducted in the central Świętokrzyskie (Holy Cross) Mountains geoecosystem, have been discussed. Field research conducted in the area of the Natural Environment Integrated Monitoring Base Station at Święty Krzyż covered the top mineral horizon (0–10 cm) of rusty podsolic precipitation-andgley soil. Basing on laboratory research which covered measurements of pH in H2O and KCl, as well as Hh and Hw, it may be concluded that in the geoecosystem at issue a distinct differentiation of the horizon occurs. The spatial distribution of exchange and hydrolytic acidity, as well as soil reaction, forms a specific micromosaic around tree trunks.
The statistical testing analyses, conducted by means of the Mann-Whitney U test, have shown considerable statistical differences in pH and Hw values depending on tree trunk and species. It has been found that the acidified stemflow which runs down tree trunks most strongly affects the measured quantities within the distance of up to 50 cm.