<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><p> Taking into account the progressive degradation of soils it is important to assess their quality. Soil quality depends on a large number of physical, chemical, biological and biochemical properties. In the publications available, there are presented three approaches regarding the use of soil properties to estimate soil quality: (1) the use of individual properties, (2) the use of simple indexes and (3) the use of complex indexes derived from combinations of different properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility to use enzymes as indicators of forest soil quality. Experimental plots (43) were located in central Poland. The study was carried out in a number of diverse fresh forest sites. To assess the quality of forest soils dehydrogenase and urease activity and the degree of base saturation were used. One of the final conclusions point out that enzymatic activity indicates current site condition as well as the changes that occur in soil better than soil physical and chemical properties. In other words, in comparison to soil enzymatic activity, soil physico-chemical properties constitute a less sensitive indicator of soil changes.</p></abstract>

Taking into account the progressive degradation of soils it is important to assess their quality. Soil quality depends on a large number of physical, chemical, biological and biochemical properties. In the publications available, there are presented three approaches regarding the use of soil properties to estimate soil quality: (1) the use of individual properties, (2) the use of simple indexes and (3) the use of complex indexes derived from combinations of different properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility to use enzymes as indicators of forest soil quality. Experimental plots (43) were located in central Poland. The study was carried out in a number of diverse fresh forest sites. To assess the quality of forest soils dehydrogenase and urease activity and the degree of base saturation were used. One of the final conclusions point out that enzymatic activity indicates current site condition as well as the changes that occur in soil better than soil physical and chemical properties. In other words, in comparison to soil enzymatic activity, soil physico-chemical properties constitute a less sensitive indicator of soil changes.

Usability of enzyme activity in estimation of forest soil quality

University of Agriculture in Krakow, Faculty of Forestry, Department of Forest Soil Science, al. 29 Listopada 46, 31-425 Kraków, Poland, phone: +4812 6625033

Folia Forestalia Polonica

{"article-title":"Usability of enzyme activity in estimation of forest soil quality"}

Taking into account the progressive degradation of soils it is important to assess their quality. Soil quality depends on a large number of physical, chemical,...

Usability of enzyme activity in estimation of forest soil quality

Published Online: Jun 08, 2013

Page range: 18 - 26

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ffp-2013-0003

Keywords
soil enzymes, soil quality, forest soils, site index

This content is open access.

Usability of enzyme activity in estimation of forest soil quality

Published Online: Jun 08, 2013

Page range: 18 - 26

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/ffp-2013-0003

Keywordssoil enzymes, soil quality, forest soils, site index

This content is open access.

Keywords
soil enzymes, soil quality, forest soils, site index