EN
The paper presents the assessment of growth parameters and the impact of pure stands of Scots pine, European larch, common birch and black alder on the reaction and chemical properties of the initial soils developed on the reclaimed sand pit ‘Szczakowa’ (southern Poland). Pine, larch and birch stands were characterized by good growth parameters, which confirms high adaptability of these species to post−mining sites. The black alder was characterized by worse growth parameters. The organic horizon (Olf) under conifers (pine and larch) were characterized by higher mass and lower pH than under deciduous species (birch and larch). The alder litter contained more N, K and Mg compared to other tree species. In the Ain initial horizon, the modifying effect of tree species was only detected in the case of black alder by higher exchange acidity and cation exchange capacity (CEC), higher content of soil organic carbon (SOC) and total N, and a lower C:N ratio, compared to soils under influence of other species. The research confirms that the selection of species composition for afforestation is an important factor affecting the soil−forming processes on reclaimed sand pit. In particular, the alder was characterized by beneficial effects on soil properties, which confirms its usefulness as a phytomeliorative species.