Water retention is an important hydrological ecosystem service of active floodplain soils. The aim of the study was to evaluate the soil chemical, physical, and hydrological properties in Fluvisols in three different ecosystems that have an impact on water retention hydrological ecosystem services (WRHESs). We selected 16 localities along the Štiavnica River in Central Slovakia, 8 located in riparian zones (RZ), 5 in arable lands (AL), and 3 in grasslands (GL). Soil samples were collected from two layers (0–10 and 20–30 cm). In the laboratory, the soil physical (soil texture) and soil chemical properties (pH, soil organic carbon content, humic and fulvic acid ratio) were determined. Using undisturbed soil samples, the soil physical characteristics (particle density, bulk density, porosity, and actual soil moisture–SMa) were measured. With the help of pedotransfer functions, hydrological soil properties (field water capacity–FWC, wilting point–WP, available water capacity–AWC) were estimated. The recorded properties differed between the localities, ecosystems, and two layers. The SMa values showed a higher soil water retention potential of extensively used ecosystems, such as GL and RZ. However, the hydrological properties estimated by pedotransfer functions (FWC, WP, AWC) showed a higher soil water retention potential in AL localities. This indicated that for calculations, selected pedotransfer functions (particle size fractions, organic matter, and bulk density) and other soil or ecosystem properties (e.g., vegetation cover, meteorological conditions) have an impact on WRHESs. One such soil factor can be the quality of organic matter. On the basis of the results of the ANOVA, significant differences emerged between the different ecosystems for selected basic chemical, physical, and hydrological properties. The effect of the soil layer on the soil properties was revealed only in the case of SOC. The results indicated the effect of different ecosystems on soil WRHES and the importance of extensively managed ecosystems, such as RZ and GL. From this point of view, the reduction in the RZ and GL areas during a period of the last 70 years is negative. The findings should be taken into account in future sustainable floodplain management and landscape architecture.

Erosion is a process often driven by land management deteriorating or changing soil properties along the slopes, with consequences on ecosystem services. In a model area with Stagnic Cambisol, with two different types of land use (grassland—GL and arable land—AL), on an erosion transect in three different hillslope positions (upper, middle, and lower), in two different depths (0–10 and 35–45 cm), we observed the impact of soil erosion on soil and plant properties and ecosystem services by use of direct measurements and models. In GL, soil available potassium (SK), soil available phosphorus (SP) and pH increased both downward along the slope and in soil depth. A significantly (p < 0.01) higher content of plant nutrients (PN, PP, and PK) and shoot biomass was recorded in the lower part of the hillslope. In AL, soil parameters (pH, SOC, SN, and SOC/SN) reached the lowest values at the middle hillslope position at the shallowest depth. A relatively negligible annual average soil loss was recorded for GL (0.76 t/ha/yr). To the contrary, a very high rate of soil erosion was found for AL with maize silage. The actual soil moisture was 50% higher in GL compared to AL, which was reflected also in the soil water deficit index (SWDI) being more favorable for GL.

Soil is a natural capital which supplies valuable ecosystem services including carbon and nitrogen storage. Agroecosystems play an important role in soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (NT) accumulation. The aim of this study was to analyse SOC stock (SOCS) and NT stock (NTS) in relation to land use (arable land-AL, permanent grasslands-PG), management, soil depth, and selected soil properties of six soil subtypes (Rendzic Leptosol—LPrz, Dystric Cambisol—CMdy, Stagnic Cambisol—CMst, Haplic Fluvisol—FLha, Gleyic Fluvisol—FLgl, Haplic Chernozem—CHha) which are the most widespread in Slovakia. SOCS for a 50 cm deep soil profile ranged from 161 t.ha⁻¹ in CHha to 59 t.ha⁻¹ in FLgl in grasslands, and in arable lands from 111 t.ha⁻¹ in CHha to 38 t.ha⁻¹ in CMst. In grasslands, FLs and CMst showed the significantly lowest SOCS and NTS in comparison to CMdy, LPrz, and CHha. The mean soil NT content in arable land and grasslands was 2.21 g.kg⁻¹ and 2.82 g.kg⁻¹, respectively. ANOVA showed that soil subtype, land use, and site have significantly affected SOCS but not NTS. The correlation analysis revealed correlations between SOCS and NTS. SOCS was also correlated with C:N, pH, P, and K. This study should help to encourage practices to maintain soil C and soil properties and to ensure the sustainability of the functions of many soil types in Slovakia.