Buffer capacity of soil as indicator of urban forest soil resistance to degradation

The aim of the study was to evaluate urban forest soil resistance to degradation caused by intensive anthropopressure by determination of buffer capacity. The study covered six soil profiles located in two forest complexes situated within the boundaries of the City of Lublin with reference to benchmark profiles. The material compiled for the study represented loessive soils and rusty sandy soils. The basic properties were determined for soil samples. Buffer capacity was determined by the Arrhenius method. The loessive soils were found to have higher buffer capacity (resistance to acidification and alkalinisation) as compared to the rusty soils. The decisive factor for buffer capacity of soils is the nature of their mineral part. Since the reference of the deliverables of the study regarding urban forest soils to benchmark profiles shows, degradation of soil is taking place within the agglomeration.