Interrelationships between soil cover and plant cover depending on land use

Abstract

Interrelationships between soil cover and plant cover of normally developed (or postlithogenic) mineral soils are analysed on the basis of four sampling soil groups. The four-link pedo-ecological sequence of analysed soils, rendzinas → brown soils → pseudopodzolic soils → gley-podzols, forms a representative cross section in relation to the normal mineral soils of Estonia. All groups differ substantially from each other in terms of soil properties (calcareousness, acidity, nutrition conditions, profile fabric and humus cover). The primary tasks of the research were (1) to elucidate the main pedo-ecological characteristics of the four soil groups and their suitability for plant cover, (2) to evaluate comparatively soils in terms of productivity, sustainability, biodiversity and environmental protection ability and (3) to analyse possibilities for ecologically sound matching of soil cover with suitable plant cover. On the basis of the same material, the influence of land-use change on humus cover (epipedon) fabric, properties of the entire soil cover and soil–plant interrelationship were also analysed. An ecosystem approach enables us to observe particularities caused by specific properties of a soil type (species, variety) in biological turnover and in the formation of biodiversity.

Keywords

• matching soil and plant cover
• soil–plant relationships
• land use change
• soil type-specific biodiversity.