Degradation and renaturalization of soils affected by tourist activity in the Bieszczady Mountains (South East Poland)

Abstract

Abstract The main aims of this study were to determine the degree of soil degradation caused by hikers along tourist trails in broad‐leaved forests and subalpine meadows in the Bieszczady Mts. (SE Poland) using the entire thickness of the soil profile and to determine both the direction and rate of renaturalization of degraded soils experiencing renaturalization over different periods of time. Seven representative plots (out of 25) were selected for detailed study. On the research plots, three different but representative research sites arranged perpendicularly to the trail were selected: (a) type R representing soil located in the center of the fenced area and still experiencing renaturalization, (b) type T representing soil on the tourist trail currently being used, and (c) type N representing natural soil showing lack of signs of trampling. The studied soils affected by tourists have become degraded substantially over time to a varying degree. This was manifested by a truncation of the soil profile and by soil compaction. The maximum depth of erosion was found to be ~0.5 m. Stones forming a ‘post‐erosional pavement’ play a crucial role in limiting deeper soil erosion. Both the loosening of renaturalized soils resulting from freeze–thaw cycles and from needle‐ice formation occur relatively quick, although the formation of a topsoil A horizon is a slow process. A humid climate and soils exhibiting high‐soil organic matter content and high‐cation exchange capacity due to their loamy texture facilitate relatively fast restoration of the vegetation cover, which protects the soil from erosion.