Effect of water erosion on Soil respiration characteristics of chernozem topsoil

Abstract

Soil respiration characteristics are an important indicator of the soil state. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of water erosion on soil respiration characteristics, in particular to determine whether erosion-damaged areas show statistically significantly worse respiratory activity compared to intact soil. Respiratory biological activity, as an indicator of soil quality, was monitored on 13 plots with chernozem soil type damaged by water erosion. There were determined basic respiration characteristics, such as basal respiration (B), respiration after adding ammonia nitrogen (N), respiration after addition of glucose (G), respiration after adding glucose and ammonia. Furthermore, from the above mentioned characteristics, following ratios were determined: N/B, G/B, G/N, NG/B and the factor of complex action (FCA). Statistical analysis showed that the position on a slope affects the respiratory characteristics. Based on results, we can say that the soil shows excessive amount of nitrogen, lack of easily degradable organic substances and poor stability of organic matter. Using statistical analysis, it was found that water erosion affects only the indicators B and G/N.