Using the Methodological Procedures for Water Erosion Risk Areas Identification for Sustainable Land Use

Abstract

Abstract The countries of the European Union have joined, inter alia, soil protection in the Common Agricultural Policy (hereinafter referred to as CAP). Accelerated soil erosion is a problem resulting from inappropriate land management, which affects both the presence of organic matter and the soil structure. The tool for elimination of negative impacts on soil can be its sustainable use. This requires the use of an accurate system to improve its condition. The first step should be problem identification and localisation. The research is aimed at the identification of water erosion risk areas by using selected methodological procedures. The research area was located at the intensively used hilly land of the Southwestern Slovakia. The digitisation of the manual interpretation of erosion risk areas with the use of aerial photos, erosion modelling, chemical analysis of soil organic matter (SOM) and analysis of soil structure were used. Verification was implemented via the field research with the use of the soil probes. Methods affirmed significant presence of the water erosion in the area. Efficient identification of erosional processes is possible via combination of presented methods by taking into consideration geological, geomorphological, pedological and geographical conditions and the use of the area over a longer period of time. The results of using methods that ensure accurate and effective localisation of erosion surfaces can be used for sustainable land use and its conservation.