Development of erosional microforms and soils on semi-natural and anthropogenic influenced solonetzic grasslands

• We estimated soil erosion and deposition rates on flatland.
• Human activity influences soil erosion and deposition rates of Solonetz soils.
• Soil erosion and deposition influence soil chemical characteristics.
• We classified grassland soils exposed to erosion according to WRB.

The rate of berm erosion and its effect on soil properties and vegetation were investigated at two sampling plots, one semi-natural and the other heavily affected by anthropogenic influences, between 1998 and 2012. The two sampling areas are similar in terms of natural characteristics, and adjacently located in the Hortobágy, a very flat plain with Solonetz soils. In the course of berm-formation, both erosion and deposition take place within a few meters' range, so we were able to obtain the rate of each process for both experimental plots. The erosion rates of the DS plot under semi-natural conditions, and the MS plot affected by anthropogenic influences, were 1.99 and 4.49 kg m− 2 year−1, respectively, and the rate of deposition were 2.12 and 2.78 kg m− 2 year−1. The recession speed of the berm edges was determined to be 10 ± 3 mm year−1 for the DS plot and 26 ± 8 mm year−1 for the MS plot. During the period of our investigation, all the calcium-carbonate content, pHH2O, pHKCl, electrical conductivity (EC1:2.5), exchangeable cation content (Σcations), and exchangeable Na percentage (ESP) of the soil in the MS plot showed significant changes, whereas in the soil of the DS plot only EC1:2.5 and Σcations changed significantly. Both EC1:2.5 and Σcations decreased in both soil profiles. At the DS plot, ESP did not change substantially, whereas at the MS plot it increased significantly.The results of the experiments revealed that in the course of berm erosion, the rates of the spatially extremely versatile, mosaic-like erosion and deposition processes show significant differences even within a small area, depending on environmental influences. Although this tendency may only prevail over shorter distances because of the exceptionally low relief energy, and can be balanced out in larger spatial ranges, both erosion and deposition are considerably more intensive and accelerated in areas affected by anthropogenic influences.