Influence of environmental factors on the spatial distribution and diversity of forest soil in Latvia

O Nikodemus,R Kasparinskis

doi:10.3176/earth.2012.1.04

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the spatial relationships between environmental factors (Quaternary deposits, topographical situation, land cover, forest site types, tree species, soil texture) and soil groups, and their prefix qualifiers (according to the international Food and Agricultural Organization soil classification system World Reference Base for Soil Resources (FAO WRB)). The results show that it is possible to establish relationships between the distribution of environmental factors and soil groups by applying the generalized linear models in data statistical analysis, using the R 2.11.1 software for processing data from 113 sampling plots throughout the forest territory of Latvia. A very high diversity of soil groups in a relatively similar geological structure was revealed. For various reasons there is not always close relationship between the soil group, their prefix qualifiers and Quaternary deposits, as well as between forest site types, the dominant tree species and specific soil group and its prefix qualifiers. Close correlation was established between Quaternary deposits, forest site types, dominant tree species and soil groups within nutrient-poor sediments and very rich deposits containing free carbonates. No significant relationship was detected between the CORINE Land Cover 2005 classes, topographical situation and soil group.

Highlights

In recent decades soil scientists have turned their attention to soil diversity research and measurement to analyse spatial patterns (McBratney & Minasny 2007; Minasny et al 2010)
This study aims to find out the relationship between environmental factors and soil groups and their prefix qualifiers determined according to the international World Reference Base (WRB) for Soil Resources in Latvia
The study results showed that, in general, the spatial distribution of forest site types is not determined by soil groups, except dry forest ecosystems, where Cladinosocallunosa, Vacciniosa and Myrtillosa are closely related to Arenosols, Hylocomiosa to Albeluvisols, Aegopodiosa to Luvisols, and all of the investigated forest site types on wet and drained peat soil are related to Histosols

Summary

Introduction

In recent decades soil scientists have turned their attention to soil diversity research and measurement to analyse spatial patterns (McBratney & Minasny 2007; Minasny et al 2010). In order to determine the influence of environmental factors on soil genesis (Jenny 1941; Bockheim 2005), soilforming processes (Targulian & Krasilnikov 2007) and development, the spatial distribution of soil cover has been widely and protractedly studied (McBratney 1992, 1998; Burrough 1993; Ibañez et al 1995, 1998; Burrough et al 1997; Ibañez & De-Alba 2000; Guo et al 2003; Phillips & Marion 2004, 2005; Bockheim et al 2005; Saldaña & Ibáñez 2007; Uuemaa et al 2008; Gray et al.2009). Such research is necessary because incomplete knowledge about environmental conditions may sometimes lead to the overestimation of soil-forming processes and cause problems in the application and comparison of soil classifications (Reintam 2002)

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion