<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This study examines the spatial distribution of soil types and their susceptibility to erosion and accumulation processes in a study area in Slovakia. Field research involving 71 probes identified various soil types, with Regosols and Cutanic Luvisols being predominant. The study found that erosion-accumulation processes were detected in 69.97% of the probes, with changes observed in soil horizons. Soil analysis revealed different relations between soil depth, humus thickness, and terrain characteristics such as slope, slope length, and slope length and steepness factor (LS factor). Specifically, we confirmed a moderately strong positive correlation between soil depth and humus thickness (<italic>r</italic> = 0.597, <italic>n</italic> = 71, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001). Shallow soils (0–30 cm) exhibited a very strong positive correlation between soil depth and humus horizon thickness (<italic>r</italic> = 0.978, <italic>n</italic> = 33, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001). Conversely, no relationship was found in moderately deep soils (30–60 cm) (<italic>r</italic> = 0.018, <italic>n</italic> = 14, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.948). For deep soils, we identified a moderately strong positive correlation (<italic>r</italic> = 0.345, <italic>n</italic> = 24, <italic>p</italic> = 0.098). While slope and slope length showed relationships with soil depth and humus thickness, the LS factor did not exhibit a clear correlation. These findings underscore the importance of understanding soil dynamics in informing land management practices, especially in areas susceptible to erosion. Recommendations include continued monitoring of eroded soils and implementing erosion control measures to maintain soil health and sustainability in agricultural production amidst climate change challenges.</p>
</abstract>

This study examines the spatial distribution of soil types and their susceptibility to erosion and accumulation processes in a study area in Slovakia. Field research involving 71 probes identified various soil types, with Regosols and Cutanic Luvisols being predominant. The study found that erosion-accumulation processes were detected in 69.97% of the probes, with changes observed in soil horizons. Soil analysis revealed different relations between soil depth, humus thickness, and terrain characteristics such as slope, slope length, and slope length and steepness factor (LS factor). Specifically, we confirmed a moderately strong positive correlation between soil depth and humus thickness (r = 0.597, n = 71, p < 0.001). Shallow soils (0–30 cm) exhibited a very strong positive correlation between soil depth and humus horizon thickness (r = 0.978, n = 33, p < 0.001). Conversely, no relationship was found in moderately deep soils (30–60 cm) (r = 0.018, n = 14, p < 0.948). For deep soils, we identified a moderately strong positive correlation (r = 0.345, n = 24, p = 0.098). While slope and slope length showed relationships with soil depth and humus thickness, the LS factor did not exhibit a clear correlation. These findings underscore the importance of understanding soil dynamics in informing land management practices, especially in areas susceptible to erosion. Recommendations include continued monitoring of eroded soils and implementing erosion control measures to maintain soil health and sustainability in agricultural production amidst climate change challenges.

Influence of Morphometric Relief Parameters on Soil Depth Changes and Humus Horizon Thickness in Relation to Erosion-Accumulation Processes: A Study in the Ipeľská Pahorkatina Hills, Slovakia

Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences

Faculty of Natural Sciences and Informatics, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra

Ekológia (Bratislava)

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

This study examines the spatial distribution of soil types and their susceptibility to erosion and accumulation processes in a study area in Slovakia. Field...

Influence of Morphometric Relief Parameters on Soil Depth Changes and Humus Horizon Thickness in Relation to Erosion-Accumulation Processes: A Study in the Ipeľská Pahorkatina Hills, Slovakia

Published Online: Jun 04, 2024

Page range: 1 - 15

Received: Mar 18, 2024

Accepted: Apr 05, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/eko-2024-0001

Keywords
soil erosion, slope, slope length, potential soil loss, soil horizon thickness, total soil depth

© 2024 Marek Moravčík et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Influence of Morphometric Relief Parameters on Soil Depth Changes and Humus Horizon Thickness in Relation to Erosion-Accumulation Processes: A Study in the Ipeľská Pahorkatina Hills, Slovakia

Published Online: Jun 04, 2024

Page range: 1 - 15

Received: Mar 18, 2024

Accepted: Apr 05, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/eko-2024-0001

Keywordssoil erosion, slope, slope length, potential soil loss, soil horizon thickness, total soil depth

© 2024 Marek Moravčík et al., published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
soil erosion, slope, slope length, potential soil loss, soil horizon thickness, total soil depth