TITLE:
Current State and Development of the Soil Health Index in Localities with Various Soil-Climatic Conditions in the Slovak Republic
AUTHORS:
Jarmila Makovníková, Boris Pálka, Stanislav Kološta
KEYWORDS:
Soil Health, Agroecosystem Services, Soil Parameters, Minimum Soil Data Set
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.10 No.6,
June
17,
2022
ABSTRACT: The aim of the study was to assess the current state and development of
the Soil Health Index (SHI) at 13 localities with various soil-ecological
conditions in the Slovak Republic. The SHI was developed using a minimum soil
data set, physical and chemical soil parameters in combination with environmental
parameters (land use, gradients). The SHI is one numerical value accumulates information about
the state of soil health and its ability to provide soil functions and thus
ecosystems in the optimal range. The highest SHI values were determined at
model localities used as arable land (Haplic Chernozem, Fluvisol) located in a
warm climate at altitudes up to 200 meters above sea level. Ecosystems with
very low and low value are mostly grasslands with mildly cold climate
(Cambisol) and considerable slope, agroecosystem on low organic matter
(Arenosol). Arable ecosystem SHI is also reduced in areas of geochemical
anomalies and areas with anthropogenic load, where there is a higher content of
risk elements. The SHI changes are mainly the result of changes in dynamic
indicators such as soil response and soil bulk density.