Origin, transformation and classification of alluvial soils (mady) in Poland - soils of the year 2022

Abstract

The Soil Science Society of Poland has elected alluvial soils (Polish: mady) to be the Soils of the Year 2022. Although alluvial soils cover less than 5% of Poland, they have high importance for agriculture and forestry due to their specific location in river valleys, moisture status and high potential productivity. Moreover, alluvial soils play crucial role for functioning of many protected natural and semi-natural ecosystems in river valleys. Stratified alluvial soils, commonly involving buried topsoil horizons, are also important for the reconstruction of natural environmental changes (in particular climatic and hydrological ones) and human impact on the landscape. This paper presents: (a) a concept of alluvial soils in Poland; (b) a review of the development and transformation of alluvial soils in relation to river valley dynamics and human influences, (c) historical and present classification schemes for alluvial soils in Poland and their correlation with international classification systems (WRB and Soil Taxonomy); and (d) utility of alluvial soils for agriculture and forestry based on their physicochemical properties and water regime.