Soil-vegetation relationships on the area of a drained saline lake in Hungary

Abstract

The relationship between the soil and the vegetation was investigated for a drained saline lake in Hungary. The physical and chemical parameters of the soil were analysed at six sampling sites. Saline soils of the solonchak type, with high salt and Ca contents, are found in this area. The vegetation of the area was surveyed on three occasions, at different levels of water cover. The species lists were evaluated using biotic parameters and statistical methods. The vegetation was found to be mosaic, exhibiting great deviations as a function of the rainfall. Correspondence analysis revealed that distinctions could be made on the basis of the Ca content, together with that of Mg in the surface layers. A significant correlation between the vegetation and the soil properties could be detected in the 10–40 cm layer. Of the six plant species shown by statistical analysis to have a distinguishing effect, a significant correlation was found between Juncus gerardii and the CaCO3% in the surface layer.