Comparative study on soil characteristics in South-West Romania in the context of climate change
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.59463/apaxst13Abstract
This paper comparatively analyzes the soil types in two distinct ecosystems: the 'Iron Gates' Natural Park, located in a mountainous and sub-Mediterranean area, and the Green Forest – Timișoara, a peri-urban forest with significant anthropogenic influences. The study examines how pedological characteristics – such as texture, pH, water retention capacity, and organic matter content – influence the response of forest ecosystems to climate change in 2022. In the context of intensified extreme climate phenomena, such as prolonged droughts or sudden temperature fluctuations, significant differences in the resilience capacity of the soils in the two areas are highlighted. The brown-eumezobasic and rendzina soils in the 'Iron Gates' Natural Park provide better support for forest vegetation under variable climatic conditions, unlike the slightly degraded alluvial and chernozem soils in the Green Forest, which are more vulnerable to erosion and moisture loss. The obtained results contribute to understanding the fundamental role of soil in the adaptation of forest ecosystems to climate change and can support sustainable management measures for natural resources.
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