THE IMPACT OF RECREATION LOADING ON PHYSICAL AND WATER-PHYSICAL PROPERTIES OF BROWN FOREST SOILS

Abstract

The article analyses the influence of recreational load on the physical and water-physical properties of brown forest soils. It is established that the complete or partial absence of litter on the pathway contributes to the rapid evaporation of moisture from the upper horizon (0−5 cm) of the soil, reducing the porosity total, increasing the density solid phase and buk density. It was found that with the increase of the buk density by 12,5 % the water permeability of the soil decreases 33 times in comparison with the control. A significant increase in the bulk density of the structure by 39−48 % was found on partway with a width of more than 2 m. On these pathway the surface runoff of water is formed. An increase in the density of the solid phase was recorded. The results of which are characteristic of the Hp horizon of brown forest soils. The overlapping of the trail with wooden flooring on the track “Stezhkamy lehendarnoyi Tustani” had a positive effect on the physical and water-physical properties of the soil. It was found that the indicators of soil bulk density and water permeability were close to the results obtained in the control and only the increase in the density of the solid phase indicates a significant recreational impact in the past. On the roadsides of the same revealed a significant increase in soil density of 1,5 times compared to the control and 1,3 times with the results obtained on the pathway, this indicates a recreational impact to date. It is proposed to use the following criteria for degradation of natural ecosystem: quantitative and qualitative changes in vegetation (meadow ecosystems), presence/absence of forest litter (forest ecosystems), soil density, presence of additional/parallel paths, path width, depth of erosion on the pathway. Establish category (stages) of recreational degression on the tracks the National Park “Skolivski Beskydy”. On the first stage/category (“Unchanged track”) of recreational degression includes trails 0,35−0,70 m wide with relatively close indicators of soil structure bulk density to control and the presence of forest litter on the pathway. The only negative aspect in this category is the insufficient water permeability of the soil. On heavy II category there is forest litter, although its redistribution is mainly traced between the trail and its roadside. In some sections of the trail, where there is no forest litter, it is fixed by increasing the bulk density of the structure to 27 %, the width of the pathway is 0,9−1,2 m and is classified as “Little-changed track”. On pathway with 2,15−3,40 m, there is a complete or partial absence of forest litter. Bulk density increased by 38−39 %, surface water runoff is formed. It is established presence distinct partway, visibled qualitative and quantitative changes in vegetation. The presented data correspond to the pathway of III category and are classified as “Endangered track”. Category IV (“Devastated track”) includes paths on which there is no forest litter, a significant increase in soil density up to 48 %, access to the surface of the root system and the width of the path is 2,60−4,90 m. Key words: recreation influence; soil bulk density; water permeable; pathway; NPP “Skolivski Beskydy”.