The Effect of Altitude on some soil physical-chemical properties in Serestan forest (Tartous /Syria)

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the variation in soil physico-chemical properties in the Serestan forest (Tartous /Syria). Soil samples were collected from 3 locations located at (105-205-305) m (a.s.l). The results revealed that the soil physio-chemical properties of soil samples show significant (P < 0.05) correlation with the elevation gradient. Sand content had significant and positive correlation with elevation it increases with the increase in altitude with the rate of correlation coefficient 0.918 while the clay and silt content of soil were negatively correlated to the altitude it decreases as altitude increases with the rate of correlation coefficient -0.930 and -0.827 respectively. Soil Organic matter decreased with increase in altitude at correlation coefficient -0.970. CaCO3 shows negative correlation decreasing with increase in altitude at the rate of correlation coefficient -0.991.  Soil pH decreased with increase in altitude at correlation coefficient -0.850. EC decreased with increase in altitude with the rate of correlation coefficient -0.750. The percentage of available Ca⁺² and Mg⁺² content in the soil decreased with increasing altitude with the rate of correlation coefficient -0.978 and -0.943 respectively. Overall, this study indicated that altitudinal variation exerts a significantly influenced the soil’s physico-chemical properties, and is of great importance in understanding the change in soil properties and its impact on soils classification and development with altitude gradient.