Effect of slope position on somephysico - chemical properties of a pine forest soil ,Tartous, Syria


Abstract in English

The main aim of this study was to determine the effect of slope position on some soil physico-chemical properties .The study was conducted on a pine forest soil , Tartous. Soil samples were collected from top , mid and bottom slope positions at horizon- A and C of top and mid slope positions and at horizon A,(B)and C of bottom slope positions . Results showed a significant difference among the physico-chemical properties of top , mid and bottom slope soils . Bulk density of the top - slope (1.34 gcm-3) was the highest followed by mid ( 1.31 gcm-3) and bottom slopes (1.27 g cm-3) .Conversely ,Organic matter content (2.86%) ,electrical conductivity EC(0.20mmos/cm) , calcium(28.3 meq/100g) , magnesium(6.80 meq/100g) , Potassium (0.21 meq/100g), Soil pH ( 7.95) , clay content (38.43 %) and silt content (34.70%) were the highest at bottom slope followed by mid and top- slopes , respectively . Soil A and C horizon of top and mid slope positions and A ,(B)and C horizons of bottom slope positions were also significantly different in their physical and chemical properties . Horizon A had the highest organic matter ,electrical conductivity , calcium , magnesium , silt contents and lower bulk density,CaCO3, sand contents than both the (B) and C horizons of bottom slope and the C horizon of top and mid slope .The deterioration in physico-chemical properties of top slope as compared to mid and bottom slopes and that of A horizon as compared to C horizons were presumed to be due to past soil erosion effect that removed the finer soil particles including soil organic matter and other plant nutrient.

References used

AANDAHL, A.R. The characterization of slope positions and their influence on total nitrogen content of a few virgin soils of Western Iowa. Soil Science Society of America Proceedings 13:,1948, 449-454
ASSOULINE S, BEN-HUR M. Effects of rainfall intensity and slope gradient on the .dynamics of interrill erosion during soil surface sealing. Catena 66:,2006, 211-220
ASTM (Am. Soc. Test. Master). Procedures for testing soils. American Society For Testing and Materials, Philadelphia ,1958

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