Deforestation increases differences in morphology and properties of dune soils located on contrasting slope aspects in the Toruń military area (N Poland)

Abstract

In a comparative research we investigated characteristics of soils situated on contrasting slope aspects (northern and southern) in two inland dune ecosystem types: 1. dunes overplanted with a pine production forest and 2. dunes deforested for military purposes, where for some decades natural succession has been the main driver for vegetation development. We found that afforested dune slopes were entirely occupied by Podzols slightly varying by degree of development in respect to slope aspect what clearly changed after deforestation. Removal of forest distinctly predisposed dry south-facing dune slopes for erosion, which affected in truncation of Podzols. Nowadays, deforested southern slopes are covered by regenerating, weakly developed soils – Arenosols; while conditions prevailing on deforested northern slopes preserve Podzols. Such situation implies distinct increase of primarily existing differences in characteristics of soils of opposite slope aspects such as moisture, temperature and organic carbon stocks.