Research of Cambisols in Western Balkan Mountains

The research deals with Cambisols soil classification and parameters in the area of Western Balkan Mountains. The studied soils are spread in the Lower altitude area of oak forests (0 to 600 m a.s.l.) and in the Middle mountain area of beech and coniferous forests (600 to 2000 m a.s.l.). The gradient of the slopes varied from flat to steep. The landscape is strongly rugged and covered with forest. The studied Cambisols are formed on granites, granite gneisses, shales, syenites and rhyolites. These soils are characterized by the following features: they have shallow surface horizon A and a deeper Bw cambic horizon. The horizon sequence of soil profiles is O- A- Bw-CR. Soil pH H2O has mean values of 5.3 in A horizon and decreases in Bw cambic horizon. The low pH values are result of the leaching of the basic cations in the profile, organic acids washed form soil surface and acidic rocks. Profiles 2, 6 and 7 have base saturation more than 50 %, which defines them as Eutric Cambisols. These soils were identified in the lower parts of the Western Balkan Mountains formed on more basic soil forming rocks. The other soil profiles were classified as Dystric Cambisols having base saturation under 50 %. They were developed on more acidic silicate rocks, higher altitude and colder and humid climate of Western Balkan Mountains.