Physicochemical properties of soils under natural stands and spruce monocultures in Beskid Zachodni

The focus of the research was on changes in soil physicochemical properties after establishing pure spruce stands in multi−species forest habitats in the lower montane zone in Beskid Zachodni. It was pointed out that the effect of spruce monocultures on soil resulted in an increased accumulation of organic matter in the Ol and Ofh horizons, lowering of the humus content in the mineral horizon, lowering of the sorption complex saturation with bases. The impact of a pure spruce stand was highest in the top horizons (Ol, Ofh), lower– in the humus horizons A and AB. The pure spruce stands had practically no effect on deeper soil horizons