The Influence of Agricultural Land Use on the Dynamics of Biological Cycling and Soil Properties in the Course of Postagrogenic Succession (Kostroma Oblast)

Abstract

The postagrogenic dynamics of biological cycling and soil properties have been studied in three soil successions characterizing postagrogenic overgrowing of: (i) former cropland on a loamy sandy soil underlain by loam (Retic Albic Podzol (Anoarenic, Endoloamic, Ochric)), (ii) well-fertilized garden loamy sandy soil underlain by loam (Plaggic Podzol (Anoarenic, Endoloamic, Humic)), and (iii) loamy soil of a hayfield developed from the former arable land (Albic Retisol (Loamic, Ochric)). The dynamics of acidity and organic carbon content are determined by the rate of the succession depending on soil fertility during the agrogenic stage in the past. In case of overgrowing of poor sandy agrosoddy-podzols, the changes in soil acidity and organic carbon content are adequately reflected by the proportion between different ecological groups of plants in the herb–dwarf-shrub layer. In the case of reforestation of former croplands, the organic carbon stock in biogeocenoses increases from 30–40 to 120 t/ha after 35–40 years. The restoration of forest vegetation on well-manured soils of private vegetable gardens with the initial carbon stock of 100–120 t/ha is retarded for a long time, and the organic carbon stock remains unchanged for at least 35 years.