Ecological estimation of forest soils in Azerbaijan

Abstract

While afforestation is relevant in the study of the ecological state of forest soil, analyses of the soil samples and valuation of the soil types to obtain final yield class is important. Within the National State Afforestation Program, as the research object, the south-east slope of the big Caucasus has been chosen for checking up soils under woodland and woodless areas. After having taken soil samples in this zone, these samples were analyzed and the amount of humus, nitrogen, phosphorus and absorbed matters sum (AMS) have been determined for a hectare (t/ha). Formula (1) was applied to determine the soil fertility factor and mechanical composition quantity (t/ha). By the traditional soil valuation method, proposed by an academician, G. Sh. Mammadov, in comparison with the selected etalon soil type, other soil valuations were given by points. Formula (2) was used to obtain the final points of the soil type and subtypes: 1) The total amounts (t/ha) of the soil types and subtypes which were determined based on formula (1). As summary of the ecological estimation, the final main yield class points of soils was established due to calculation by formula (2) for all soil type and subtypes under woodland and woodless areas in Shamakhi region, situated in the very natural zone. The results obtained from the experiments and calculations, showed the present ecological state of the woodland and woodless soils, their fertility factor and mechanical composition. Key words: Ecological estimation, main yield class, soil ecology, valuation of soil, valuation point, ecological safety, forest protection.