DOI: https://doi.org/10.36719/3104-4735/4/41-47

Soil Fertility Indicators of Forest Ecosystems in the Shaki District of the Southern Greater Caucasus Slope

Gulchohra Huseynova

Abstract. Forest ecosystems of the Sheki district on the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus play an important role in biodiversity conservation, regulation of water resources, and prevention of soil erosion. The fertility indicators of forest soils in the Sheki district, one of the main forested areas of the southern slope of the Greater Caucasus, were evaluated. During the study, soil samples were collected from different altitudinal zones of the area, and their physicochemical properties, including humus content, pH, total nitrogen, available phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, and soil texture, were analyzed. The results of the research showed that the forest soils of the region possess relatively high organic matter reserves and favorable physical properties. The observed variations in soil fertility indicators were mainly associated with altitude, vegetation cover, and relief conditions. The obtained findings contribute to a better understanding of the formation characteristics of soil fertility in mountain forest ecosystems and provide a scientific basis for sustainable forest management.

Keywords: forest soils, soil fertility, humus, nutrients, Greater Caucasus, Sheki district, Azerbaijan