The role of soil-protecting forests in reducing soil erosion in young glacial landscapes of Northern-Central Poland

Abstract

The use of phytomelioration in environmental management, particularly in case of long-term, permanent forest vegetation, is one of the most natural and effective ways to mitigate the effects of soil erosion. Forests in general have a very effective protective function. The paper identifies differences in the basic soil properties along slope surfaces, in relation to the land use. Moreover, the role of soil-protecting forests in reducing the intensity and effects of soil erosion processes was assessed. The research was conducted in the young glacial landscape of north-central Poland. Analysis of soil catenas along the slopes and of material collected from the soil pits revealed that the forests highly protect against the degradation of soil cover, especially, in limiting, among others, loss of humus and the reduction of upper soil horizons. On the slopes under forests, clear changes in particle size distribution in relation to the adjacent slopes used for agricultural purposes were observed.