The relationships between selected soil properties and caesium-137 identify organic carbon, nitrogen and water soluble phenols as indicators of soil erosion processes in different forest stands

Abstract In the last few decades, use of environmental radionuclides, particularly caesium-137 ( 137 Cs), represented one most valid methods for estimating soil erosion. However, cost associated with equipment needed radiometric analyses is still high and, this reason, finding more easily measurable indicators can be useful. There a strong correlation between Cs, organic carbon (OC), nitrogen (N) and water soluble phenols (WSP) exists, indicating latter parameters as possible early Based on above assumptions, main purpose work to identify specific chemical able indicate triggering Specifically, several such pH, electric conductivity (EC), WSP, OC, N C/N have been evaluated against Cs comparative basis. addition, since rate erosion depends degree coverage canopy structure, two different tree species Pinus nigra laricio Poir. Fagus sylvatica L.) considered in contribution which ten scenarios forest management analysed. The results show that reduction cover managed sites triggers nutrient loss processes. It has observed compared control areas, closely correlated those OC N. These (WSP, N), assessable, tool understand easily, erosive phenomena.