The content of phosphorus in mountain meadow (Polonina) soils as an indicator of past shepherding activity

• Published in: Ekológia Bratislava Vol. 31; no. 1; pp. 54 - 64
• Main Authors: Chodorowski, J., Melke, J., Ziółek, M., Uziak, S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Bratislava Institute of Landscape Ecology 2012
• Subjects: Economic development; National parks; Phosphorus; Soils
• ISSN: 1337-947X; 1335-342X; 1337-947X
• DOI: 10.4149/ekol_2012_01_54

This research was conducted in the area of the Carynska Polonina (the Western Bieszczady, the Eastern Carpathians, Poland). The content of total phosphorus (P^sub 2^O^sub 5-^t), inorganic phosphorus (P^sub 2^O^sub 5-^in), organic phosphorus (P^sub 2^O^sub 5-^org) and phosphorus extracted with 1% citric acid (P^sub 2^O^sub 5-^-ac) was determined in 8 profiles of mountain meadow (polonina) soils. The content of the examined forms of phosphorus is highest in the surface humus horizons A, but, as a rule this decreases with depth. In general, the amount of organic phosphorus (P^sub 2^O^sub 5-^org) was found to be higher than the amount of inorganic phosphorus (P^sub 2^O^sub 5-^in). The high content of phosphorus extracted with 1% citric acid (P^sub 2^O^sub 5-^ac) in soils under the Rumicetum alpini community may indicate the sites of past shepherding activity (shepherds' shelters and cattle accommodation) in this area. P^sub 2^O^sub 5-^ac was found to be the most useful indicator of anthropopression compared to other forms of phosphorus. The impact of human activity on the natural environment of Carynska Polonina intensified several times, and the last phase of anthropopression was connected with an increase in population and economic development in this area during the first half of the 20th century, between 1911 and 1939. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]