ISBN online: 978-80-7701-095-5 | DOI: 10.11118/978-80-7701-095-5

The Soil Environment at Mont Beuvray, Bibracte

Aleš Kučera, Aleš Bajer, Tomáš Vichta, Zdeněk Patočka, Petr Zapletal, Valerie Vranová, Marie Balková, Clément Bonnefoy-Claudet, Mathieu Thevenot, Joeri Kaal, Marco Panettieri, Jean Lévêque, Olivier Mathieu

This publication provides an overview of the sites environmental conditions on the Mont Beuvray massif, with particular emphasis on the soil environment and forestry management at this exceptional ecological and historic landscape. The massif is characterised by soils developed on strongly acidic, base-poor silicate substrates, predominantly Cambic Umbrisols and Dystric Cambisols. Soil formation has been substantially shaped by long-term colluvial accumulation driven by historical deforestation and settlement activity, the latter evidenced by artefact-rich horizons at the summit intra muros. The mineral soil fraction is inherently low in clay content and sorptive capacity, rendering soils highly erodible. Biological activity across the massif reflects the high molecular diversity of the organic matter, which, while associated with inherently low decomposition rates, renders the soil carbon pool particularly sensitive to canopy disturbance or climate-driven warming. Forest management must therefore prioritise continuous soil surface protection, avoiding large-scale canopy disturbance that would trigger organic matter mineralisation, nutrient leaching and/or erosion. Gradual stand regeneration through small-scale silvicultural interventions, combined with ameliorative pioneer species, will be essential for maintaining ecological stability. Given the outstanding archaeological significance of the locality, sustainable forest management represents not only an ecological necessity but also a prerequisite for the long-term preservation of the site's cultural heritage.

Keywords: Mont Beuvray, European beech, European silver fir, douglas fir, clearcut, soil parameters, forest management

1. edition, online: 2026, publisher: Mendel University in Brno