Identification of agricultural soils suitable for afforestation in the Czech Republic using a soil database

Abstract

Afforestation of agricultural lands may be a positive action in many cases. Especially, it is a beneficial feature for waterlogged soils, stony soils or for soils which are less fertile for any other reason and thus unsuitable for farming. Afforestation can be a very important action even in the agricultural landscape – afforested belts of agricultural land divide large farm blocks into smaller ones, or act as windbreakers and biological corridors. The value, quality and fertility of soil can be assessed in different ways. The study aims to determine the identification soil criteria of agricultural land which is suitable for afforestation. This evaluation process is based on Evaluated Soil Ecological Units (ESEU), in the Czech Republic known as BPEJ, database which is available for all agricultural land in the Czech Republic. The results are represented by a complete list of ESEU codes suitable for afforestation. The list of codes is supplemented by an explanation why such an ESEU code, representing a soil group with similar properties, is suitable to afforestation.