Multiproxy approach to the reconstruction of soil denudation events and the disappearance of Luvisols in the loess landscape of south-western Poland

Loess landscapes are highly susceptible to soil redeposition processes and thus may provide detailed insights into the record of denudation processes. Using optically stimulated luminescence dating and the soil micromor-phology of 12 soil profiles, we reconstructed a complete record of denudation processes in south-western Poland. The first episode of soil redeposition took place around 9.1 ka. The denudation events that followed were attributed to the Neolithic (6.4 +/- 0.3 ka), early Bronze Age (3.8 +/- 0.2 ka), early and late Middle Ages (1.5 +/- 0.1 ka and 0.7 +/- 0.03 ka, respectively) and early Modern (0.4 +/- 0.02 ka). As a consequence of the denudation processes, the soil cover in the studied area had been strongly reshaped. The predominant Luvisols had expe-rienced progressive erosion processes that led first to a significant shallowing of the eluvial and argic horizons (truncated Luvisol) and, after some time, to their complete removal. Further thinning of the loess mantles had exposed geological substrates with very weak pedogenic alternations, thus pushing their transformation towards Regosol types. Similarly, Regosols occurred in toeslopes where freshly eroded material had been deposited, and where diagnostic horizons had not yet developed. Modern soil erosion rates in the studied loess area have considerably increased, and it is estimated that the Luvisol status may be completely transformed within approximately 80-300 years, if not sooner, due to progressive climate change.

Automated summary

Loess landscapes in south-western Poland provide insights into the record of denudation processes. Soil redeposition events occurred around 9.1 ka, followed by denudation events attributed to different historical periods. The soil cover in the area has been reshaped, with predominant Luvisols experiencing progressive erosion processes. Modern soil erosion rates have significantly increased, potentially leading to a complete transformation of the Luvisol status within approximately 80-300 years.