Moldavian Plateau Research Articles

A NEW REGISTRATION IN THE VASCULAR FLORA OF MOLDOVA (EASTERN ROMANIA): ALLIUM INAEQUALE

The presence of species Allium inaequale in the flora of Moldova (eastern Romania), has been reported in this paper, based on specimens collected by authors on the field, as well as on specimens stored in public herbaria. The species has been identified in arid grasslands of two nature reserves from the Central Moldavian Plateau (Vaslui County), namely: “Coasta Rupturile” Tanacu and “Movila lui Burcel” Miclești. This is a very rare plant species in Romania, found at the most western limit of its general range, and should be included, as vulnerable, in the Romanian Red List of Vascular Plants. We have also found that the registration of the species A. moschatum in the flora of Moldova was due to misidentification. Based on the current data, A. moschatum, should be replaced in the flora of this historical province by A. inaequale.

Precipitation variation and water balance evaluation using different indices

The study evaluates the variability of water balance using different indices for the period 1961–2018 in Cotnari and surroundings, in the middle part of the Moldavian Plateau (MP), Romania. With the aid of statistical analysis and remote sensing, we discovered that the Cotnari's SPEI (Standardized Precipitation and Evapotranspiration Index) variability is characterized by severe values that alternate between significant excess and significant deficits. According to SPEI, between 57.2 and 61.4% of the months were near normal in terms of water balance. There were between 19.3 and 25.1% months with water excess and between 17.1 and 20.8% with water deficit. The links between NDVI and SPEI become stronger as SPEI reaches extreme values (above 1.5 units or below −1.5 units). The water balance indicates a decrease in available water resources.

Spatio-Temporal Distribution and Trends of Major Agricultural Crops in Romania Using Interactive Geographic Information System Mapping

This research study presents the spatio-temporal distribution of the main agricultural crops in Romania using a modern digitalisation technique, namely interactive GIS mapping. Interactive GIS mapping includes various features specific to the development of sustainable Romanian agriculture, including the arable area of Romania, information on the area (hectares) cultivated with corn, wheat, sunflower, and rape during the 1990–2018 period, the degree of mechanisation, the number of tractors, and information regarding the landforms, a natural factor in relation to cultivated surfaces. Agricultural land should be properly used based on its ability to meet the demands of consumers of traditional Romanian products with an ecological label, but also the needs of the local population, and, at the same time, to ensure the sustainability of the natural environment through the practice of ecological agriculture. The purpose of this research is to provide an overview of the current state of the main agricultural crops in Romania. From a theoretical but also practical point of view, this research presents, for the first time, a retrospective analysis of each county in Romania in terms of the geospatial distribution of major agricultural crops using interactive GIS mapping. Geospatial data were processed in ArcGIS Geographic Information System 10.7.2. The results of this study show that the most extensive cereal areas at the county level in Romania are corn and wheat. The largest areas cultivated with corn and wheat in 2018 were recorded in the Western Plain, the Romanian Plain, and the Moldavian Plateau. For wheat, increases were also recorded in the Dobrogea Plateau. The intensification of labour productivity and the promotion of the sustainability of the natural environment in Romania is presented through the main indicator (the number of tractors) of the degree of mechanisation of agriculture. The higher values of this indicator are in the counties of Bihor, Timiș, and Maramureș. Limitations in Romania’s agricultural data present substantial challenges to the sector’s development and sustainability. Addressing these challenges is essential for informed decision making, policy formulation, and effective resource allocation.

Late Tripolye Culture Settlement Spatial Pattering: Case study from the Gordineşti II-Stînca goală site, Northern Moldova

Abstract The Gordineşti II-Stînca goală is an archaeological site located in the northern part of the Moldavian Plateau in Edineț Region. Chronologically this settlement is linked to the later phase of the Tripolye Culture. Currently, in archaeological literature, the problems of human occupation, land management, and spatial arrangement of settlements in Moldova during the Eneolithic are highly understudied. In this paper, we present the results of recent archaeological works focusing on the spatial patterning of housing structures, Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey, and desk-based Kernel Density Estimation (KDE) analysis, that has been undertaken to further the understanding of the spatial organisation of the Gordineşti II-Stînca goală settlement. The results indicate the high archaeological potential of this site, with the likely presence of multiple housing structures arranged in a planned and functional manner.

Gully Head-Cuts Inventory and Semi-Automatic Gully Extraction Using LiDAR and Topographic Openness—Case Study: Covurlui Plateau, Eastern Romania

The Covurlui Plateau, a subunit of the Moldavian Plateau located in eastern Romania, possesses a high natural agricultural potential, significantly impacted by soil erosion, particularly gully erosion. The only inventory in the Moldavian Plateau that comprises approximately 9000 gullies extracted from topographical maps was conducted during the 90s. Nowadays, with the advent of advanced techniques and geodata, such as GIS software, aerial photograms, high-resolution satellite images, and high-resolution digital elevation models, we aim to achieve an (1) up-to-date comprehensive inventory of gully head-cuts and (2) a very detailed mapping of the spatial distribution of gullied lands. Firstly, the gully head-cuts were inventoried for the entire region using platforms such as Google, Esri, and Bing, through the QuickMapService plugin within QGIS 3.16 software, with the assistance of Landsat and Sentinel satellite images. Secondly, the automatic mapping of gullies was carried out using a 5 m high-resolution Digital Elevation Model and the Topographic Openness module offered by SAGA GIS software through QGIS software. As a result, we identified 5868 gully head-cuts for the Covurlui Plateau, with an average density of 2.57 gully head-cuts per square kilometer. Additionally, the identified gullies occupy over 3570 hectares, representing 1.57% of the total area. Overall, the topographic openness index proves to be an efficient tool for the semi-automatic extraction of gullies from high-resolution digital elevation models.

Growth variation of pedunculate oak trees (Quercus robur) in comparative cultures of different origin

At the age of 16, were analysed the comparative cultures of pedunculate oak, which have as seed sources the stands from the north, center and south of the Republic of Moldova. The provenances from the center area demonstrated a high adaptation capacity in the test site from the ,,Plaiul Fagului” reservation, having a signifi cant performance of growth in height than those from the south of the country. At the provenances studied, was observed the instability of the phenotypic variability, which resulted in the change of ranking regarding their growth in different years. This fact suggests that the genetic expression of growth in height occurs gradually, stadially, in the ontogenetic process of tree development. Also, is evident a strong hereditary infl uence of the oaks of origin on the growth rate of the descendants. The use of acorns within the limits of a forest body is risky with the reduction of the genetic diversity of the natural population. Under the conditions of climate change, the transfer of reproductive forest materials within the limits of the Central Moldavian Plateau can be admitted because the pedunculate oak has a vast genetic variability in terms of traits important for adaptation. The assisted migration within the limits of the center area to the oak, a species with a long life cycle and vast genetic variability, is justifi ed by the fact that natural selection will speed up the adaptation process of trees with the prediction of climate changes.

Urban Stream Temperature Surge—Streamwater Temperature Variability after Rainfall in Suceava City Metropolitan Area

Suceava city is a territory under the urban heat island effect that leads to warm runoffs into small urban streamwaters that are highly impacted by the thermal pollution due to a combination of the small stream discharge and important runoff from impervious urban surfaces. This research detects the frequency and specificities of temperature surges in the Suceava city metropolitan area–40 surges were certainly identified in ~2 years-long time series. We analyzed the diurnal cycles of the stream temperature and correlated the atmospheric precipitation with some heated surface runoffs that resulted in aperiodic increases in the stream temperature. The high variability of rainfalls in the urban area meant that the stream temperature surges occurred rarely in all streams during the same rainfall event, despite the small distances between the watersheds (1–5 km between adjacent water monitoring points). The surges lasted up to 10 h and had an amplitude of up to 5.2 °C; they usually lasted 3.9–5.6 h after 5.8–7.7 mm rainfalls, causing temperature peaks of 0.5–1.4 °C. Additionally, they were easier to detect in the Cetăţii Creek due to its colder-than-natural waters during the warm season—a result of important wastewater discharge. Overall, the surges occurred mostly during the warm and wet semester of the year (87.5%) and especially during the summer (50%). Because Suceava is an average Romanian city, our findings could be taken into account as relevant data at least for cities located in the Moldavian Plateau.

An Overview of Extreme Years in Quercus sp. Tree Ring Records from the Northern Moldavian Plateau

In this study, we made use of a regional oak tree-ring network from six stands that cover the northern Moldavian Plateau (eastern Europe) to analyze how different tree ring parameters (i.e., early wood tree-ring width, late wood tree-ring width, and total tree-ring width) of Quercus sp. are influenced by the occurrence of extreme climatic events (e.g., long-lasting drought events). In order to explore the influence of extreme hydroclimatic events on tree ring width, we have selected each of the six most extreme positive and negative years of tree growth and addressed the seasonal cycle of tree growth in comparison with the main climatic parameters, then evaluated both the current and lagged consequences of extreme hydroclimatic events on tree ring width and the capacity of trees to recover. Our results indicate that the variability of oak tree ring width from the Moldavian Plateau is mainly influenced by the availability of water resources, and that an important limiting growth factor for Quercus sp. is the occurrence of long-lasting drought events, e.g., at least two years in a row with severe drought conditions.

CUCUJUS CINNABERINUS (SCOPOLI, 1774) (COLEOPTERA: CUCUJIDAE) IN ROSCI0045 CORIDORUL JIULUI, ROMANIA

The protection of the Natura 2000 species Cucujus cinnaberinus (Scopoli, 1774), protected by Romanian and European legislation, requires knowledge of distribution, threats and conservation status. In Romania the species is protected in only 9 Natura 2000 areas of the 442 SCI declared until 2021. All the protected areas in which the species is mentioned are located along the Carpathian Arch except ROSCI0135 Pădurea Bârnova – Repedea located in the Central Moldavian Plateau. The identification of the species in ROSCI0045 Coridorul Jiului brings new data about the distribution of the species and its conservation status. Observations on the species in larval stage were made by direct searches in specific habitats in the protected area. In the months of May, August and September 2022, Cucujus cinnaberinus was identified in several points along the protected area: Dăbuleni on poplar wood in the Danube River meadow, Foișor on poplar wood in the Jiului meadow, Bratovoești in ploplar wood of the former channels of the meanders Jiului River, Calopăr on ash wood from the Dâlga valley and Turburea on alder wood in the Gilortului meadow. The identification of Cucujus cinnaberinus Natura 2000 species requires further monitoring at the site and the implementation of appropriate protection and conservation measures.

Comparative Multi-Criteria Assessment of Hydrological Vulnerability—Case Study: Drainage Basins in the Northeast Region of Romania

Hydrological vulnerability (HV) is a (changing) underlying condition in all drainage basins, depending on the dynamics of the potentially dangerous hydrological phenomena, the particularities of drainage networks, land use patterns, and processes that shape landforms in extensive periods. The socioeconomic attributes and the hydrotechnical infrastructure add up to the manifestation of this type of vulnerability. In this paper, we assess the HV levels of 81 drainage basins in the NE of Romania for three distinctive periods (1990–1999, 2000–2009, 2010–2018), using a multi-criteria approach. Two classical multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods were combined in order to evaluate the HV according to factors that refer to floods and hydrological drought occurrences, hydrotechnical structure coverage, the drainage network, land use, and landforms characteristics. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was applied to weigh these factors and the resulting relative importance values were integrated in the Technique for Order of Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), by which the alternatives represented by the catchments were ranked. The attenuation of the HV through time follows an East–West direction, from the lower elevations of the Moldavian Plateau to the heights of the Carpathians. Hydrological droughts are more likely to occur in the Eastern part of the analyzed territory, while the western section displays a certain propensity for floods. The results may be used by local and national authorities in order to improve the hydrological risk mitigation strategies, and to develop more targeted water management projects, properly calibrated to the conditions of the Northeast Development Region in Romania.

Soil Conservation Measures on Degraded Land in the Hilly Region of Eastern Romania: A Case Study from Puriceni-Bahnari Catchment

Land degradation through erosion processes is probably the most restrictive issue regarding the sustainable agricultural use of land resources in contemporary Romania. The socio-economic changes that occurred in Romanian society after 1990 resulted in a sharp decline in the implementation of conservation practices along with an increase in intensity of land degradation. Consequently, the present paper firstly aims to analyse the actual spread and intensity of land degradation in the Puriceni-Bahnari catchment, representative area in terms soil erosion within Moldavian Plateau of Eastern Romania. Secondly, the achievement of a dedicated project at the level of the entire basin regarding the implementation of land conservation practices is the most suitable solution for the sustainable agricultural use of this fragile natural resource. The results prove the severe degradation state of the agricultural land, with a mean value of annual soil loss of 15.46 t·ha−1·yr−1 (13,500 t·yr−1). Furthermore, 460 ha of agricultural lands (72.7% of total) falls within the category that exceeds the limit of admissible erosion of 7 t·ha−1·yr−1. As a solution to the existing land use pattern, we designed a map of proposed conservation measures and works on agricultural land for the whole catchment that can be relatively easily implemented and conserve soil and water. The main issues of the proposed land use pattern are: (1) the entire cropland must be reduced and changed to a strip-cropping system; (2) the quality of the pastures should be improved; (3) the forested area must be substantially extended, especially on account of unproductive land, and (4) the agricultural road network must be halved and entirely reshaped. In conclusion, the large-scale implementation of conservation practices on degraded agricultural land is the only rational solution for sustainable development of poor local communities in the hilly areas from eastern Romania.

The Need for Protecting, Promoting, and Managing a Quaternary Geoheritage Site: Bahluieț Valley at Costești Village (Moldavian Plateau, North-Eastern Romania)

The Bahluieț Valley at Costești village geosite has recently been studied and proposed as a geoheritage site. Previous investigations of the study area were focused on the Costești-Cier archaeological site, which is currently integrated into the National Archaeological Repertoire. In this archaeological site, different levels of populations have been studied (Eneolithic Cucuteni A, Cucuteni AB, and Horodiștea-Erbiceni Culture populations) as well as an earth wall from La Tene (8th‒10th/eleventh century BC) and a 15th‒seventeenth century AD necropolis. In the area of the present-day Costești village, Bahluieț River leaves the Suceava Plateau area (with altitudes of 350‒550 m a.s.l.) and enters the Jijia Hills (with altitudes of 50 to 200 m a.s.l.), flowing between Ulmiș Hill (306 m a.s.l., at north) and Ruginii Hill (326 m a.s.l., at the south). This valley, which is incised more than 100 m below the plateau level, suddenly becomes broader because of massive Late Pleistocene landslides that covered the former Bahluieț river floodplain and are now fossilized by fluvial deposits. During the Holocene, river incision detached paleochannels and fluvial terraces, while the landslides reactivated through retrogressive mechanisms, creating a complex landslide. A cut-off meander island hosts the Costești-Cier archaeological site, which is currently being actively eroded by the river. In the riverbank of this island, a multi-layered stratigraphy can be seen, consisting of landslide and fluvial deposits, palaeosols, and archaeological remains. The layered deposits, the complex landslide, and the fluvial processes have the potential to become one of the most representative Quaternary sites of the Moldavian Plateau and Romania. By using geomorphosite assessment, geomorphological mapping, optically stimulated luminescence dating, and concepts of geoconservation, I show (i) the importance of the geosite due to the presence of the oldest dated fossil landslide in Romania and to the landslide-fluvial-archaeological relations and (ii) the need for protection at local, regional, and national levels considering the active processes that affect the site. I propose a geoconservation strategy for management and promotion of the geoheritage site.

Assessment of Soil Moisture Anomaly Sensitivity to Detect Drought Spatio-Temporal Variability in Romania

This paper will assess the sensitivity of soil moisture anomaly (SMA) obtained from the Soil water index (SWI) product Metop ASCAT, to identify drought in Romania. The SWI data were converted from relative values (%) to absolute values (m3 m−3) using the soil porosity method. The conversion results (SM) were validated using soil moisture in situ measurements from ISMN at 5 cm depths (2015–2020). The SMA was computed based on a 10 day SWI product, between 2007 and 2020. The analysis was performed for the depths of 5 cm (near surface), 40 cm (sub surface), and 100 cm (root zone). The standardized precipitation index (SPI), land surface temperature anomaly (LST anomaly), and normalized difference vegetation index anomaly (NDVI anomaly) were computed in order to compare the extent and intensity of drought events. The best correlations between SM and in situ measurements are for the stations located in the Getic Plateau (Bacles (r = 0.797) and Slatina (r = 0.672)), in the Western Plain (Oradea (r = 0.693)), and in the Moldavian Plateau (Iasi (r = 0.608)). The RMSE were between 0.05 and 0.184. Furthermore, the correlations between the SMA and SPI, the LST anomaly, and the NDVI anomaly were significantly registered in the second half of the warm season (July–September). Due to the predominantly agricultural use of the land, the results can be useful for the management of water resources and irrigation in regions frequently affected by drought.

Medium-term development of discontinuous gullies

Intense gully erosion has sculptured remarkable channels into the Moldavian Plateau of eastern Romania, especially in its most representative subunit, the Bârlad Plateau covering >8000 km2. The permanent gully types are: (1) discontinuous gullies, mostly located on hillslopes and (2) large continuous gullies in valley bottoms.This study seeks to improve our understanding of the development of discontinuous gullies over variable time-scales (mostly 17–30 years, but also including data collected since 1961) by providing quantitative information on gully evolution and processes. Several methods were used to accurately measure and estimate gully growth. These include intensive field monitoring between 1978 and 2000 using the ‘stakes grid method,’ repeated levelling until 2019, analysis of aerial photographs and Caesium-137 analysis.The discontinuous gullies occur as single, successive (chains) or clusters. These are associated with small catchments (usually <100 ha in area) and ephemeral peak runoff discharges are usually ≤2 m3 s−1. The ‘hydraulic radius at bankfull-channel’ tended to decrease downstream of the gully head, accompanied by a gradual increase in gully bottom width. A salient tendency observed during major runoff events was for the hydraulic radius of the flow to progressively decrease downslope, accompanied by decreasing sedimentation rates on gully floors. The mean linear gully head retreat for 31 gullies was 0.97 m yr−1, indicative of a relatively slow erosion rate. However, their ‘pulsatory’ development was mostly controlled by runoff accommodation when runoff enters and is conveyed through a gully. We especially discuss the changing runoff pattern or ‘variable-geometry flow.’ The R2 of the association between linear gully head retreat or areal gully growth and catchment area indicated a weak correlation for discontinuous gullies.

Study on the Middle Bronze Age Disc-Butted Axe Ornament from Archaeometallurgical Point of View

Our research was conducted on a copper disc-butted axe, with a surface decoration made of a tin-based alloy, which was found east of the Carpathian Mountains in the Moldavian Plateau. This unique piece is thought to belong to the Middle Bronze Age in the Western Carpathians—Wietenberg, Suciu de Sus and Otomani–Füzesabony cultures. In order to evaluate the application process and the origin of the ores used, the surface and volume phase variation of the concentration of the metal components of the basic alloy (copper) and of the ornament was analysed using optical microscopy (OM), stereomicroscopy (SM) and SEM-EDX. The archaeometric features, formed both during its use and during its lying in the archaeological site, were identified and later used in archaeometallurgical evaluations and in determining the preservation condition of the two components (axe and ornament) on the surface, interface and in stratigraphic section. Experimental data revealed that, after its casting in porous silicon stone moulds, the object was coated with a thin film by immersion in an easily fusible tin alloy, which included copper as the major alloying component and arsenic and iron as minor components. After finishing the shiny white coat, a beautiful decoration was applied by incision and engraving. Used as a battle axe, it also had a rank function, as it belonged to the community leaders. The data prove the ability of ancient craftsmen to design and process copper alloys to obtain authentic extremely beautiful artefacts, which provide new possibilities to reveal the social and symbolic function of certain ancient bronze objects.

Land Degradation and Soil Conservation Measures in the Moldavian Plateau, Eastern Romania: A Case Study from the Racova Catchment

Land degradation by soil erosion, gullying and landslides and reservoir sedimentation is a major environmental threat in the Moldavian Plateau of eastern Romania. The widespread development of these processes in the last two centuries was favored mainly by traditional agriculture focused on ‘up-and-down slope’ farming on small plots. However, soil conservation measures were actively undertaken between 1970 and 1989. More recent legislation (No. 18/1991 Agricultural Real Estate Act) includes two provisions that discourage maintaining and extending soil conservation practices. Hence, the former contour farming system has been abandoned in favor of the traditional, inadequate farming methods. Thus, this paper reviews the impact of land degradation and soil conservation measures in a representative 32,908 ha catchment located in the Central Moldavian Plateau. Based on field measurements, the results show that the estimated mean long-term (1973–2017) sedimentation rate reaches 4.7 cm y−1 in the Puscasi Reservoir at the catchment outlet, resulting in an associated sediment delivery ratio of 0.28. The initial area of the Puscasi Reservoir at normal retention level has decreased by 32% and the water storage capacity has decreased by 39%. Consequently, land degradation remains a serious problem in the study area and effective soil conservation is urgently needed.

Hailstorm risk assessment for crop areas in Moldova Region (Romania)

Estimating the impact of hail on agricultural land is needed in order to streamline damage reduction methods. In this regard, hail risk maps were prepared for the region of Moldova for the main types of crops (wheat and rye, corn, potato, sugar beet, sunflower, vegetables, orchards and vineyards). The methodology that we used consists in determining the risk map, as the product between the hazard map (average annual number of days with hail), the exposure map (agricultural crop value) and the vulnerability map (the percentage occupied by a certain agricultural crop in the administrative units). Areas with severe hail risk are in the eastern half of Vrancea County, the western part of Galati County and the northeastern part of Iasi County, where there are large areas cultivated with vines, orchards and vegetables. In Vaslui County, the most exposed ATUs are those in the vicinity of Bârlad, Fălciu Hills and the Huși wine area. Most AUs in Bacău and Suceava counties, in the southern part of Neamț County, are included in the medium and high-risk classes due to the suitable conditions for cultivating most plants and the higher frequency of hail. The ATUs from Botosani County are included in the low and medium risk classes. The lowest level of risk is registered in the case of AUs from the mountainous area, the Curvature Subcarpathians and the areas with higher altitudes from the Central Moldavian Plateau and Tutova Hills.

Controls on the development of continuous gullies: A 60 year monitoring study in the Moldavian Plateau of Romania

AbstractGully erosion is a major environmental threat on the Moldavian Plateau (MP) of eastern Romania. The permanent gully systems consist of two main gully types. These are: (1) discontinuous gullies, which are mostly located on hillslopes and (2) large continuous gullies in valley bottoms. Very few studies have investigated the evolution of continuous gullies over the medium to longer term. The main objective of this study was to quantitatively analyse the development of continuous gullies over six decades (1961–2020). The article aimed at predicting temporal patterns of gully head erosion based on field data from multiple gullies.Fourteen representative continuous gullies were selected near the town of Barlad, most of them having catchment areas &lt; 500 ha. Linear gully head retreat (LGHR) and areal gully growth (AGG) rates were quantified for six decades. Two main periods were distinguished and compared (i.e., the wet 1961–1980 period and the drier 1981–2020 period). Results indicate that gully erosion rates have significantly decreased since 1981. The mean LGHR of 7.7 m yr−1 over 60 years was accompanied by a mean AGG of 213 m2 yr−1. However, erosion rates between 1961 and 1980 were 4.0 times larger for LGHR and 5.9 times more for AGG compared to those for 1981–2020.Two regression models indicate that annual precipitation depth (P) is the primary controlling factor, explaining 57% of LGHR and 53% of AGG rate. The contributing area (CA) follows, with ~33%. Only 43% of total change in LGHR and 46% of total change in AGG results from rainfall‐induced runoff during the warm season. Accordingly, the cold season (with associated freeze–thaw processes and snowmelt runoff) has more impact on gully development. The runoff pattern, when flow enters the trunk gully head, is largely controlled by the upper approaching discontinuous gully.

Is digital shoreline analysis system “fit” for gully erosion assessment?

Gully erosion represents one of the most destructive geomorphological processes at a global level. Modern methods of gully erosion measurement are typically derived from earlier techniques that have since become outdated. The increasing capabilities of technology had led to new ways of quantifying soil erosion processes (e.g. gully erosion) which must be used in erosion assessment. A tool designed to assess coastal erosion – Digital Shoreline Analysis System (DSAS), is applied to the analysis of gully erosion. To assess the usefulness of this technique, three different types of gullies were chosen (dendritic, linear, and linear that became dendritic) from the Moldavian Plateau of Romania were chosen. Different parameters (SCE, EPR, NSM, and LRR) were tested and analysed. The best results were obtained in the case of dendritic gullies with specific adjustments to the processing values (smoothing distance set to >1000 and transect spacing at values >5 m). In the case of linear gullies, the smoothing distance needs to be set to lower values compared to dendritic gullies (<= 1000). When it comes to the linear gully that evolved into a dendritic gully, the recommendation is to use smoothing distances with high values (>1000) and transect spacing values >10 m. The average erosion rates obtained with the help of DSAS are very close to the ones from the literature of gully erosion on the Moldavian Plateau in Romania (over – 1.5 m/yr and under – 1 m/yr for gullies cut in sandy and clay deposits, respectively). This leads us to the conclusion that the DSAS tool is “fit” for gully erosion assessment. However, like any other software, it has limitations and possible disadvantages. The tool can be successfully used and applied in the field of soil erosion mitigation, disaster risk reduction, environmental and cultural heritage protection and in reaching the UNSDG.

RESEARCH OF SOILS IN THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA FOR THE QUALITATIVE DEVELOPMENT OF SEA BUCKTHORN

Sea buckthorn cultivation in the Republic of Moldova represents a young but profitable branch with development perspectives due to the nutritional value of the products, to the protection qualities of eroded soils and to the accumulation of biosynthesized nitrogen in the soil by the plant root system. The current sea buckthorn plantations in the Republic of Moldova occupy a very wide spectrum of soils and their textural varieties, from typical chernozems in Balti steppe (Sangerei district - Dobrogea Veche), to the gray and brown forest soils in the Central Moldavian Plateau - Codrilor Plateau (Orhei district - Putintei and Clisova, Calarasi district - Leordoaia) and the carbonate chernozems of the terraces of the Dniester river (Dubasari district - Pohrebea). The morphological description and the physical-chemical analysis allowed to highlight some ecological factors determining the productivity of the sea buckthorn plantations: degree of compaction, porosity, structure, moisture, effervescence - for several types and subtypes of soil, textural varieties, complexity of the soil cover, slope exposure and others. It was shown that typical chernozem and light gray soil have more favorable agro-physical conditions for sea buckthorn cultivation, compared to the brown soils and typical gray forest soils, heavy by texture. The high loam content, especially in the drought periods of the year, causes the processes of swelling-contraction. Disorders in the optimal development of plantations - insufficient development or total drying can occur as a result of exceeding soil moisture above the field capacity limit for water or below the wilting coefficient of the plant. In order to optimize the moisture regime depending on the soil texture and type, it is recommended to irrigate the sea buckthorn plantations established on chernozems. Gray and brown forest soils are not suitable for drip irrigation. In some periods, depending on the climatic conditions, there may be a need to optimize soil moisture. AnaleleUniversităţii din Craiova, seriaAgricultură – Montanologie – Cadastru (Annals of the University of Craiova - Agriculture, Montanology, Cadastre Series) Vol. 51/1/2021 188 On the plantations with unsatisfactory development of sea buckthorn, it is recommended to monitor the bulk density, the soil penetration resistance depending on the hydro-physical constants and the accessibility of water for plants.