Relations between vegetation and soil in initial succession phases inpost-sand excavations.

Abstract

Rahmonov O., Szymczyk A.: Relations between vegetation and soil in initial succession phases in post-sand excavations. Ekologia (Bratislava), vol. 29, No. 4, p. 412–429, 2010. open-mined sand exploitation always leads to the total liquidation of vegetation and soil cover. The given study presents the relations between vegetation appearing in the excavation and soil development in the initial phases of succession. investigations were carried out in the kuznica Warezynska sandpit, located in the Silesian Upland in southern Poland. results obtained indicate that at uncovered sands, due to exploitation in unreclaimed places, spontaneous regeneration of vegetation-soil cover occurs. in the succession series observed in the excavation, 3 stages were distinguished (primary, secondary and terminal), which were divided into 6 phases. The oldest observed succession stage was made by communities from the Dicrano-Pinion connection. The duration of succession of the oldest surfaces is estimated at 25 years. Considering morphology, the forming soil differs at every succession stage. in respect to observed soil formation processes, advancing soils, even the oldest surfaces, have initial character; they are poor in nutrients and characterized by acidic, slightly acidic to alkaline pH-reaction. Physico-chemical properties of soil, forming in the area of the sandpit, are conditioned most of all by the ground water level, its chemical composition and the duration of succession. investigations proved that the course of succession at habitats fed mainly by waters, originated from the seepage of waters of deep circulation, and this differs from this those in places fed by the precipitation of waters. These differences appear most of all in the first phase of optimum stage. The sandpit is also characterized by a large differentiation of vegetation, resulting from the mosaic character of habitats. Habitat differentiation of the sandpit bottom is connected with its diversified relief and hydrogeological situation.