INFLUENCE OF ALTITUDE ON SOIL PROPERTIES AND HEALTH CONDITION OF SPRUCE ECOSYSTEMS IN THE TATRY-BIOSPHERE-RESERVE

The surface humus dry weight in the upper area at the altitude 1430 m a.s.l. averages 109 t.ha(-1) and is highest among all investigated mon itoring plots. The expressive cambic podzol has been developed here wi th a typical very strong acid raw humus (pH in H2O 3.36, pH in KCl 2.5 2). The actual loading reaches up to 9.488 kmol. It is probable that o n the southern slopes of the Vysoke Tatry Mountains there are 2 elevat ion zones of damaged forests, viz. at 850-1200 m and at 1400-1650 m a. s.l. The decline of Norway spruce is rapid and ranges between 9% and 1 8% per year.