Land-use/vegetation cover and soil erosion impacts on soil properties of hilly slopes in Drama Prefecture of Northern Greece.

Abstract

Aim of study: Soil erosion is one of the most serious threats because of the multiple effects it has on society. The Mediterranean region is extremely susceptible to severe erosion because of the inappropriate agricultural management, overgrazing, deforestation, wildfires, land abandonment, urbanization, etc. Land-use/vegetation cover has a major impact on soil erosion and soil properties. The aim of this study was to compare soil properties of slopes of hills with three different land-uses/vegetation covers. Area of study: The study was conducted on different slopes along Menoikio Mountain of the Prefecture of Drama in Greece. Material and Methods: The three different land-uses/vegetation covers investigated were: a) cultivated areas, b) grazed rangelands and c) forested areas. Each slope had all three land-uses/vegetation covers and was separated in three parts: a) top, b) middle and c) bottom slope. Five soil samples were collected from each part. The soil samples were analyzed in the laboratory for the following soil properties: a) clay, silt and sand percentage, b) soil texture, c) soil density, d) soil moisture, e) pH and f) organic matter. Main results: Significant differences among the three land-uses/vegetation covers were expected to be found because of the difference in soil erosion rates and also among the three slope parts because of the difference in erosional and depositional process that take place. This was not the case because in some soil variables other parameters e.g. other management practices in the three land-uses (grazing in the forested areas) were as influential. Highlights: Examines land-use/vegetation cover implications on soil properties due to erosional and depositional process along a slope and provides insights to land managers of Greece in regards to soil management practices in order to promote sustainability.