Geographia Polonica (2015) vol. 88, iss. 2

The diversity of soils of the upper forest line, transition, and mountain pine zones in the Babia Góra Massif

Paweł Nicia, Paweł Zadrożny, Barbara Czajka

Geographia Polonica (2015) vol. 88, iss. 2, pp. 139-145 | Full text
doi: https://doi.org/GPol.0020

Abstract

The upper forest line transition zone up to the mountain pine zone on the southern slopes of Babia Góra, has diversified phytosociology and soils. The development and diversity of the upper forest soils are affected by morphogenetic processes, physiographic conditions, vegetation, and anthropogenic factors which in the past included sheep grazing. An analysis conducted on the morphological and chemical soil properties in the transects covering the upper forest line, transition, and mountain pine zone on the southern slopes of Babia Góra revealed considerable diversification characterising these soils within the individual altitude zones. A substantial changeability in the contents of the analysed components in the investigated soils is characteristic for mountain soils developed in the areas with great intensity of slope phenomena and processes.

Keywords: Babia Góra Mt, soils, upper forest line

Paweł Nicia, Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection University of Agriculture in Krakow Mickiewicza 21, 31 -120 Krakow: Poland
Paweł Zadrożny, Department of Soil Science and Soil Protection University of Agriculture in Krakow Mickiewicza 21, 31-120 Krakow: Poland
Barbara Czajka, Faculty of Earth Sciences University of Silesia in Katowice Będzińska 60, 41 -200 Sosnowiec: Poland