Analysis of Water Retention Capacity for Select Forest Soils in Poland

Our paper presents an analysis of the water retention characteristics of mineral soils for select forest soils in Poland. Direct measurement of the soil retention characteristics is relatively complicated and time consuming, therefore often indirect methods are sought instead. The main objective of the paper was to establish statistical relationships between the soil basic physical properties and the moisture content at predefined soil matrix potentials (e.g. pF curves). The relationship between individual soil texture classes, bulk density, specific density, and organic matter content at certain soil suction (pF values) were analyzed. The empirical models were described by multiple regression equation. The research covers 62 mineral forest soil layers of a diverse textured composition, from sand to clays. They were classified as Haplic Podzols and Cambisols representing pine and spruce ecosystems. For verification of the used method, calculated and measured values of total available water content were compared. The relationships between examined properties and the soil moisture content at certain pF value was provided statistically. The obtained data set can be a valuable representation of water retention characteristics and physical parameters of forest soil in pine and spruce ecosystems across Poland.