Research of Soil Resources Degradation Processes in Georgia

Abstract

Proper exploitation of soil resourses is one of the significant problem of the adverse impact of climate change. Soil formation is a long process, while its degradation develops much faster. Soil degradation means the process of deterioration of soil resources fertility, as a result of both natural and anthropogenic impact. Significant impact on soil resources take place in East and West Georgia. The results of the present study show that the main reasons of soil resources degradation in Georgia are: salinization, erosion processes and natural disasters impact. In the work the following issues are overviewed, namely: i. The climate components regime and their connection with modern ecological processes. In particular, the temperature and precipitation trends and their possible impact on chemical data are researched. The regression relation between global warming intensity and soil chemical data are revealed. ii. In selected degraded soils total amount of easily soluble salts, the main ions composition for the determination of saline soil’s quality, humus and soluble forms of nutrient elements aiming soil fertility definition. iii. The mechanical analysis of the soil referring to research soil physical properties and salt migration in the ground. Natural disasters impact on the soil degradation is considered. Research results defined the territories and types of soils degradation in Georgia. The recommendations to improve the soil fertility are created. The received results could promote the socio-economic development of the districts/ regions in Georgia and introduce considerable material and economic effects, assist the sustainable management of soil resources and alleviation of poverty.