Role of soil in the functioning of the Mazurian Lake District ecosystem

The Macroregion of the Mazurian Lake District and the adjoining mesoregion of the Sępopol Plain were formed during Baltic glaciation and in the post-glacial period. The existing habitat differentiation, especially large variations in the soil cover, is divided into three distinct landscape zones. The northern areas of the district are typical heavy and very heavy soils, composed of tight clays and loams, represented by brown soils and black earths. They contribute to the ecosystem stability. Hydrogenic soils occupy only a small area. Agricultural production, when carried out correctly, should not threaten the habitat and should be in harmony with the area in question. The central, moraine area of the Mazurian Lake District, with unique natural qualities, is comprised of different soil forms and various soil covers. Brown and lessive soils are dominant among mineral soils. Deluvial soils are common, which is a warning sign on the danger of erosion. Contribution of hydrogenic soils is clearly seen. Protection of these soils, as well as re-naturalisation of the selected areas, is becoming vital. This area badly requires ecological farming. Light and very light soils, mainly rusty and podzo! soils, accompanied by large areas of sensitive for transformation hydrogenic, muck, and mucky soils occur in the southern part of the district, in the area of outwash plains. Outwash plains call for complex solutions to improve the quality of their mineral soils, as well as utilisation and protection of hydrogenic soils.