ANALYSIS OF THE PROPERTIES OF GREY FOREST SOILS IN RELATION TO FOREST TYPES IN NORTHEASTERN BULGARIA

Modern forestry and forest soil science recognize soil as a key ecological factor for forest existence. Conversely, forest vegetation exerts a significant influence on soil profile development, weathering processes, and the transformation of organic matter within the soil. This interaction determines the specific morphology, composition, and properties of forest soils, justifying their formation as a result of forest soil-forming processes. This study presents results from an investigation of Gray Forest Soils (Gray Luvisols) under different forest types and in a non-forested area. The observed differences in soil morphological structure between forested and non-forested sites highlight the critical role of forest vegetation in shaping soil composition and properties. The study establishes that tree species characteristics influence variations in soil nitrogen content, pH, and the C/N ratio.