THE CHANGE OF PROPERTIES OF BROWN FOREST SOILS IN 10 YEARS ON THE TRACK “SKOLE − PARASHKA” (NPP “SKOLIVSKI BESKYDY”, UKRAINIAN CARPATHIANS)

Abstract

Carry out monitoring of the track “Skole−Parashka” by the main five criteria of degradation of the natural environment: 1) width track (І category: to 0,5 m, “Unchanged track”; II category: to 1 m, “Little−changed track”; III category: 2−3 m “Endangered track”; IV category: to 5 m “Devastated track”; V category: over 5 m, “Strongly devastated track”); 2) presence of additional/parallel paths; 3) soil density; 4) quantitative and qualitative changes in vegetation (meadow ecosystems), presence/absence of forest litter (forest ecosystems); 5) the growth of erosion processes and the microrelief of the trail. It was found that for 10 years of exploitation by tourist track “Skole − Parashka” the width of the trail increased by 0,3–1,2 m. Reveal changes in soil over physical, water-physical, physicо-chemical and biotic properties of brown forest soils. The bulk density of soil structure on trails during 2012−2014 increased by approximately 32 % compared to the control, and after 10 years it increased − to 38 %. To reveal within the roadside an increase in soil bulk density from 1,07 to 1,17 g•cm-³ for 2019−2021 years. An increase in the density of the solid phase was recorded. The results of which are characteristic of the Hp horizon of brown forest soils. On the track porosity total to appraise “unsatisfactory”. For 10 years of recreational use of the track, the water permeability on the trails has not changed and was 0,07 and 0,06 mm•min-¹ according to the periods of the study (2012-2014 and 2019-2021). Within the roadside water permeability in 2012−2014 decreased by 60−80%, then in 2019−2021 years water permeability decreased by more than 90%. The actual water permeability of the soil during the downpour rains causes the intensification of surface runoff on the trail. On the track reveal abatement C organic. On the roadside track when lay to plane surface C organic unchanged within a years (2012−2014 and 2019−2021) and even was outstanding within a control. The increase C organic on the roadside is a result of “penetration” of the crushed fractions of forest litter into the H horizon during trampling and is not the result of biochemical processes. On the track increase of soil reaction (pH 5,0) while in the control pH 4,0. As to the biotic activity parameters, among the most significant are the catalase activity indices which are mostly determined by the density of the soil structure and water permeability. Key words: soil bulk density; water permeability; C organic; biotic activity; recreation influence; monitoring; NPP “Skolivski Beskydy”.