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We are pleased to announce that the latest issue of Annales UMCS sec. B features the results of research on the diversity and properties of the soil cover in the city of Lublin. The publication was authored by staff members of the Department of Geology, Soil Science, and Geoinformation at Maria Curie-Skłodowska University:
Chodorowski J., Bartmiński P., Plak A., Dębicki R., 2024. The soil cover of the city of Lublin (eastern Poland). Annales UMCS, sec. B, vol. LXXIX: 71–85. DOI: 10.17951/b.2024.79.0.69-85 [LINK] (in Polish with English abstract)
The study presents a unique overview of the spatial diversity of Lublin’s soils and their key properties. Special attention is given to the impact of human activity on urban soils and their crucial role in protecting natural resources, spatial planning, and the sustainable development of the city.
The soil cover of Lublin is highly diverse, shaped by a combination of environmental and anthropogenic factors. Various soil types are found within the city, including brown soils, rusty soils, luvisols, black earths, rendzinas, and organic soils (peaty and muck soils). In the river valleys of the Bystrzyca and its tributaries, alluvial and organic soils dominate, characterised by a high organic matter content. In the loess areas in the western and northern parts of the city, brown and luvisols stand out due to their high agricultural value, while technogenic soils prevail in urbanised zones. The location of Lublin at the junction of geologically distinct mesoregions of the Lublin Upland further highlights the uniqueness of its soil cover.
One of the key elements of the publication is a detailed map of Lublin’s soil cover, illustrating the spatial distribution of various soil types across the city. The study employs the Polish Soil Classification (2019) alongside the international World Reference Base for Soil Resources (WRB, 2015), ensuring that the results align with current scientific standards. The identified soil units are thoroughly described and illustrated with soil profiles, making the publication a comprehensive resource on the city’s soils.
The findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on urban soils, much of which is driven by the SUITMA initiative (Soils of Urban, Industrial, Traffic, Mining, and Military Areas). Soils play a vital role in stabilising urban ecosystems, supporting the cycling of organic matter, water, and nutrients, and neutralising pollutants. The degradation of these soils significantly impacts residents' quality of life.
Understanding Lublin’s soil cover is essential for spatial planning, environmental protection, and sustainable management of natural resources. This publication represents a valuable contribution to the study of urban soils and their ecological and societal importance.
Publication list of Institute staff
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