Mile Markoski1, Ivan Minchev2, Tatjana Mitkova1 and Marija Todorovska1
1 “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences and Food, 1000 Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
2 “Ss. Cyril and Methodius” University, Hans Em Faculty of Forest Sciences, Landscape Architecture and Environmental Engineering, 1000 Skopje, Republic of North Macedonia
Markoski, M., Minchev, I., Mitkova, T. & Todorovska, M. (2025). Spatial variability of soil chemical properties in Gazi Baba forest park region. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 31(4), 640–651
The soils in Gazi Baba forest park were examined. The field research was carried out in 2022, during which 22 surface soil samples were taken. In the framework of this master’s thesis, an examination of some physical and chemical properties of the soil, as well as the content of the total forms of heavy metals, was carried out. Several soil types are formed in the area covered by the Gazi Baba forest park: regosols, cinnamon forest soils, colluvial soils, and complexes thereof. Based on the obtained values for the mechanical composition, for the most part, the soils in the surface part are sandy clay loam (SCL) at 41%, sandy loam (SL) at 36%, and loamy (L) soils at 23%. The content of total forms of heavy metals in all samples was analysed using atomic emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma (AEICP). The obtained results were processed statistically, and maps were made for the spatial distribution of all analysed elements and parameters. The obtained results allow us to distinguish between possible anthropogenic influences on the presence of heavy metals in the soils of Gazi Baba forest park and their lithological origin.