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The Soil Science Society of Poland has elected gleby płowe (clay-illuvial soils) to be the Soils of the Year 2023. Gleby płowe are the most important soils in Poland, both in terms of occupied area, at least 45% of the total soil cover of Poland, and the importance for national agriculture. Gleby płowe are considered medium to highly productive soils, suitable for wheat, rapeseed and corn cultivation, so the vast majority of these soils are occupied by arable land use, while only their little fragments remained in forests, forming mesotrophic and eutrophic habitats. The joining feature of all gleby płowe is the presence of an argic illuvial diagnostic horizon, developed in the course of mechanical translocation of the clay fraction. However, this group is probably among the most diversified soils in Poland, as a consequence of the huge diversity of its parent materials and environmental conditions of their origin, as the well as the subsequent transformation induced by the long-term agricultural land use. This diversity is reflected in the highest number of soil subtypes (13) distinguished in a single soil type in the Polish Soil Classification, and their partial correlation with at least five reference soil groups (Luvisols, Retisols, Stagnosols, Planosols and Alisols) of an international WRB classification. This paper contains a brief review of (a) the development of the concept of clay-illuvial soils in the world and in Poland, (b) the current definition and classification of gleby płowe in Poland in relation to international classification, and (c) the state of the art in the knowledge of clay-illuvial soils in Poland, considering the unsolved issues of their origin, transformation and distribution in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study assessed the effect of long-term, diversified NPK fertilization and cereal monoculture on the physical and water properties of post-mining Technosols. The research was carried out in 2022 at an experimental plot established in 1978. A field experiment was established on the internal heap of the Pątnów KWB Konin (Brown Coal Mine Konin). In the research area, since the beginning of the experiment to the present day, an annual cereal crop rotation has been cultivated (winter rye alternating with winter wheat). In 1988, the area was divided into three experimental sections that received different rates of NPK fertilization. The study area consisted of three plots -- marked in the paper as: 0 NPK, 1 NPK, 2 NPK. In each section the morphology of three soil profiles were described. From each genetic horizon, samples with a disturbed and intact structure were collected. The results of the analyzes were treated as repetitions and statistically processed. The collected material was used to analyze the basic physical, water and chemical soil properties. The tested soils were classified as Spolic Technosols (Pantocalcaric, Katodensic, Pantoloamic, Ochric). Mineral fertilization improved the physical and water properties in the surface horizons, but no effect was observed on subsoil properties. Fertilization with a single NPK application was found to be effective and additional applications were considered superfluous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Since the end of the 18th century Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) monocultures have been artificially introduced in extensive areas of rusty soils in Central Europe. Such forest management practice has involved, however, several serious problems, like e.g. soil degradation implying the decrease in productivity of forest sites, and the clear increase in the risk of disturbances (pest gradations, fi res, wind damages etc.) occurrence. Those troubles have involved the increasing discussion on rational forest management on sandy soils, which are predominant in lowland woodlands of Central Europe. Thus, in this paper we aimed to indicate selected problems of sustainable management of rusty soils in forestry with regard to lowland forests found in the region. The special focus was paid on controversies being related to conversion of pine stands overgrowing these soils, because of its especially high importance for forest management in Central Europe. We postulate that we should intensify the conversion of pure pine stands overgrowing rusty soils into mixed forests, which would reduce the risk of the assumed, and being involved with the ongoing climate changes, problems with the stability of pine forests in Central Europe. The study shows that the current methodology of forest site types diagnosis used in Poland may lead to underestimation of the types, and consequently it consolidates the focus of Polish forestry on breeding pine stands on rusty soils. Following the existing controversies regarding the diagnosis of a forest site type on rusty soils, we postulate that we should more broadly underplant pine stands overgrowing the soils with deciduous trees, regardless of the diagnosed forest site type in forest inventory works. In turn, in conversions executed in maturing conifer stands using a gap cutting, the emphasis should be put on plant diversity. Namely, we highlight in the paper that in the gaps, besides major deciduous species (usually oak and/or beech), the admixture of ameliorative trees should obligatory be introduced (e.g. European hornbeam, Carpinus betulus), which happens to be ignored in practice. We postulate also that logging residues removal, which is still executed in some forest districts in Poland, should be skipped. This practice is especially irrational when it is done in sites dedicated for stand conversion, because it highly increases the risk of mortality and/or of the distinct decrease in growth dynamics of young hardwoods introduced in post-pine sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Soil Science Society of Poland has elected alluvial soils (Polish: mady) to be the Soils of the Year 2022. Although alluvial soils cover less than 5% of Poland, they have high importance for agriculture and forestry due to their specific location in river valleys, moisture status and high potential productivity. Moreover, alluvial soils play crucial role for functioning of many protected natural and semi-natural ecosystems in river valleys. Stratified alluvial soils, commonly involving buried topsoil horizons, are also important for the reconstruction of natural environmental changes (in particular climatic and hydrological ones) and human impact on the landscape. This paper presents: (a) a concept of alluvial soils in Poland; (b) a review of the development and transformation of alluvial soils in relation to river valley dynamics and human influences, (c) historical and present classification schemes for alluvial soils in Poland and their correlation with international classification systems (WRB and Soil Taxonomy); and (d) utility of alluvial soils for agriculture and forestry based on their physicochemical properties and water regime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alluvial soils cover about 5% territory of Poland and they are an important part of the environment of floodplains and river valleys. These soils have long been studied by soil scientists around the world. The high school students also have a relatively high knowledge of them in comparison with other soil types. Information about them is readily available in textbooks and on the internet. Is this enough to make alluvial soils the driving force behind efforts to popularize soil science? The aim of this paper is to diagnose the state of knowledge about these soils among high school students of Kuyavian-Pomeranian region as well as the assessment of their suitability in the soil awareness raising. Querying geography textbooks and internet sources as well as a survey method were used as the main research methods. Information on alluvial soils is commonly found in geography textbooks and websites. The awareness of soil distribution within Kuyavian-Pomeranian voivodship is the highest for alluvial soils among all studied types of soils. Respondents correctly assess the value of these soils and can identify ways to increase soil awareness among the public. Among the respondents there is a conviction that there is a need for changes in soil science education, especially in the field of extracurricular activities. Suggestions for such activities are included in this publication. The Year of Alluvial Soils is a good opportunity to introduce new solutions in the popularization of soil science on a regional and national scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rusty soils cover about 15% of Poland's territory and they are the most important type of soil used in the forest management. Polish soil scientists know these soils very well but, unfortunately it seems, that students who come to environmental studies know very little about them--less than about other soil units. Does electing rusty soil as the Polish Soil of the Year 2021 present an opportunity to change that? The aim of this paper is to diagnose what is the availability of information on rusty soils at the level of education in secondary schools and what is the state of knowledge about these soils in the broad non-academic community. Three main research methods were used: querying geography textbooks, querying internet sources and survey method. Information on rusty soils is rather not presented in textbooks. Of the 17 analysed websites -- 8 lack any information on those soils. Coefficient of Information Availability (CIA) for rusty soils is one of two lowest among all studied units. Respondents assessed the knowledge of rusty soils lower than most of other Polish soils but they would like to learn more about them. Additionally, the low level of knowledge about it does not reduce its recognition: respondents had no problem to recognize rusty soil on the base of photograph and to distinguish the correct number of genetic horizons. The Year of Rusty Soil is a great opportunity to introduce young people to these soils. Field lessons can combine soil education with ecological issues. Rusty soils can be seen as optimal choice for these activities. These soils could be an perfect type to increase public awareness of soils at all but especially with regard to common soils important to our local environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the Białowieża Forest is considered one of the most important forest complexes in Europe, the only data about its soil cover were published in 1960s and from the core national park only. The aim of the present paper was an analysis of properties and variability of rusty soils (Brunic Arenosols) based on the results of soil-habitat investigation carried out in forest administration units of Białowieża, Hajnówka, and Browsk, which form the Forest Promotional Complex "Puszcza Białowieska" surrounding the Białowieża National Park. The prevalence of sandy parent materials (Warta/Saalian II glaciation) allowed the widespread development of rusty soils, which cover ca. 39% of the area. Spatial differentiation of these materials (glacial, glacio-fluvial, eolian, and dune sands, cover sand on loams, etc.), as well as common, fine- or coarse- textured interbeddings, supported the differentiation of rusty soils into three subtypes (typical, rusty-brown, and podzolic ones). Although the rusty soils are in general featured by strong acidification of the profile, low base cations content and low base saturation, the properties clearly differentiate among sub-types and result in relatively best trophic status of brown-rusty soils, why the worst trophic status -- of the rusty podzolic soils. The variability of physicochemical properties in the soil profiles and among the subtypes of rusty soils resulted not only from the kind of parent material (which affected the texture and base cations), but also -- directly or indirectly -- the vegetation (which affects the organic carbon and nitrogen, acidity, pH, and base saturation). Forest species composition and forest management may have, therefore, impact on the direction and intensity of pedogenic soil transformation. The differentiation of soil subtypes was accompanied by different dominant forest habitats: broadleaf/mixed broadleaf forests, broadleaf mixed forests, and mixed coniferous forests on rusty-brown, rusty typical and rusty podzolic soil, respectively. The subtypes of rusty soils distinguished according to Classification of forest soils of Poland (2000) correlated well their analogues of the Polish soil classification (6th edition, 2019). However, an application of the latter classification would result in a clear reflection of transitional soils (e.g. rusty-brown podzolic soils) and raised the classification level of soils having gleyic properties or containing carbonates, as well as some post-arable soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]