Zonality of soil and vegetational degradation at locality Banska Stiavnica - Sobov [Slovak Republic]
1999
Madaras, M. (Soil Science and Conservation Research Institute, Bratislava (Slovak Republic)) | Dlapa, P. | Banasova, V.
Soil chemical properties and the vegetation of the locality influenced by an extremely acid and mineralized water were studied. Samples of A-horizon and phytosociological releves were taken across the damaged area in the course of increasing intensity of acidification. Changes of soil chemical properties (pH, exchangeable bases content, exchangeable Al and Fe content) and of vegetational structure (number of species, total cover, cover of individual species, the share of Poaceae among all species) were separately analysed. Zones of soil degradation and degradation stages of original grassland community were distinguished. Both zonings corresponded one to another. Zones originated due to the presence of soil buffering mechanisms. Untouched soil had pH value 5.5 high amount of exchangeable bases (Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, Na+) and low contents of exchangeable Al3+ and Fe3+. Grassland vegetation (19 plant species) was composed by Arrhenatherum elatius, Festuca rubra, Dactylis glomerata, Pilosella bauhinii, Leontodon hispidus etc. Zone of buffering activity of cation exchange was characterized by gradual leaching of exchangeable bases, pH decreased to about 5.1. The highest cover had Festuca rubra and Dactylis glomerata, the number of species decreased to 12 on average. In a zone of buffering activity of aluminum, content of exchangeable Al3+ rapidly increased, exchangeable bases were completely leach out, pH decreased to about 4.2. Vegetation was composed of Festuca rubra, Avenella flexuosa, Agrostis tenuis. Only 6 species were found, total cover decreased. In a zone of buffering activity of aluminum and iron, only 3 previously mentioned the most tolerant species were found. pH decreased to 3.7 on average, content of exchangeable Fe moderately increased. In the most affected zone, content of exchangeable Fe3+ rapidly increased. Soil was without vegetational cover, exposed to the water erosion
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