Soil erodibility in European mountain beech forests

Forests in Europe are currently not endangered by soil erosion. However, this can change with climate or intensified forest management practices. Using a newly established network of plots beech forests across Europe, the aims study were to (i) distinguish properties and erodibility indices relation bedrock, (ii) determine geochemical organic carbon (C org ) influencing erodibility, (iii) assess effect depth on indices. Seventy-six samples from 20 collected 11 countries quantify indices: clay ratio, modified sodium adsorption oxides ratio. The results indicate that dominant properties, determined correlate C , pH, electrical conductivity, calcium ions concentrations, total water-soluble cations, percentage sand. According tested indices, susceptibility erosion follows order granite > andesite sandstone quartzite limestone. Deeper horizons more susceptible than surface are, but is case for soils limestones. In conclusion, should consider predisposition different types