Assessment Of Soil Degradation Research Articles

Prioritization of Hydrological Restoration Areas Using AHP and GIS in Dulcepamba River Basin in Bolivar–Ecuador

In this study, we performed a preliminary soil analysis and collected environmental data for the Dulcepamba River Basin in Bolivar–Ecuador, before carrying out its hydrological restoration (HR). A geographic information system (GIS) and the multicriterion Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) decision-making method were used. The comprehensive evaluation included morphological aspects, soil properties, climatic conditions, vegetation, and land use. The terrain conditions were investigated using indicators such as the flow capacity, topographic moisture, soil resistance, sediment transport, current density, curve number, NDVI, precipitation, and distance to rivers. The results and analysis are presented in a series of maps, which establish a starting point for the HR of the Dulcepamba watershed. The key factors for assessing soil degradation in the watershed include land use, vegetation cover, sedimentation, humidity, and precipitation. Of the studied territory, 10.7 do not require HR, while 20.28% demand HR in the long term. In addition, 30.67% require HR in the short term, and 33.35% require HR immediately. Based on the findings, it is suggested that authorities consider the environmental remediation of the watershed and propose various HR measures. This analytical approach could prove valuable as a tool for the environmental restoration of watersheds in Ecuador.

ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT OF ARMED AGGRESSION OF THE RF ON THE SOIL COVER OF UKRAINE

The purpose of this study is to assess the impact of armed aggression by the rf on the soil resources of Ukraine and to develop a map regarding the impact of military actions on the soil cover at different levels of management: the country, region, district, and territorial community. In this study, we used the following main methods: analysis, synthesis, monographic, abstract-logical, and cartographic. The article introduces a new type of soil degradation: degradation caused by armed aggression (military type), which includes the following types: (1) mechanical degradation; (2) physical degradation; (3) chemical degradation; (4) physical and chemical degradation; (5) biological degradation; and (6) other directions of influence on soils and land plots. For the first time, maps have been developed regarding the impact of military actions on the soil cover at different levels of management: Ukraine, oblast, district, and territorial community. Areas of each type of soil affected by military operations and requiring further examination and control have been determined. It was established that as of March 2023, the largest area affected by hostilities is characteristic of chernozem soils: ordinary chernozems (5.0M ha), southern (2.1M ha), typical and podzolized (1.9 million ha), meadow soils and meadow and chernozem (0.2M ha). Considering the area, chernozems were the most affected; in some areas, the soils were destroyed. The practical value of the obtained results is that their application should contribute to the comprehensive assessment of military soil degradation in Ukraine. Spatial specificities of interstate and interregional migrations in the population of Ukraine are defined for the prewar period, the period of russia’s hybrid war against Ukraine (2014–2021), and the full-scale russian-Ukrainian war (beginning on February 24, 2022). The scope and the directions of migrant departures/arrivals are disclosed, as well as their effect on the dynamics of population number in Ukraine and its regions.

Assessment of Soil Degradation for Biomass Production in Tanjungpinang, Indonesia

Land management, especially land that is not in accordance with the rules can cause damage/change in soil properties which in turn impacts the disruption of biomass production. The lack of available data regarding soil degradation, especially in Tanjungpinang City, has resulted in less than optimal supervision and control over land management. Mapping the condition of soil degradation is necessary to exercise control over land management. The purpose of this research is to assess soil degradation in Tanjungpinang City, Riau Archipelago for biomass production. Soil degradation can be modeled by scoring and overlaying four parameters, namely land use, slope, soil type, and rainfall, producing a tentative map of potential soil degradation. Next, a tentative map of soil degradation is corrected using a field survey. Field surveys are used to measure the standard criteria for soil degradation according to Government Regulation No. 150 of 2000. The results show that the criteria for soil degradation in Tanjungpinang City are light damage and moderate damage. The criteria for moderate damage have the largest area spread over Dompak Sub-District, Batu Sembilan, Melayu City Plate, Bukit Cermin, West Tanjungpinang, East Tanjungpinang, Kampung Baru, and Tanjung Ayun Sakti. The main limiting factors that limit land use in Tanjungpinang City are permeability, surface rocks, and redox.

THE MAIN DIRECTIONS OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AT THE DEPARTAMENT OF EROSION AND SOILPROTECTION: CURRENT STATE AND PROSPECTS OF DEVELOPMENT

The Department of Erosion and Soil Protection has developed the main scienti c directions - «Assessment of erosion processes in soils of various bioclimatic zones», «Study of the basics of sustainable land use» and «Ecological and economic assessment of soil and land degradation». It is proposed to develop both existing areas of scienti c research with a certain adjustment of their names and problems («Analysis and modeling of erosion processes in soils, including in the context of climate change», «Development of the concept of sustainable land use in the context of food security», «Ecology, economics and socio-demographic features of land use in the context of climate change and soil degradation»), as well as new directions that have some research history at the department - «Development of principles of soil protection», «Development of methodological foundations of land reclamation». e necessity of creating a holistic concept of soil protection is considered in particular detail. is concept should include both the formulation of legal (legislative and regulatory-methodological) principles of soil protection, and the de nition of criteria for assessing soils under which their protection can be carried out, and the development of soil protection systems ( rst of all, from the manifestation of erosion processes) in various bioclimatic and administrative-territorial conditions.

Comparative analysis of soil organic matter fractions, lability, stability ratios, and carbon management index in various land use types within bharatpur catchment, Chitwan District, Nepal

BackgroundLand use and land cover changes have a significant impact on the dynamics of soil organic matter (SOM) and its fractions, as well as on overall soil health. This study conducted in Bharatpur Catchment, Chitwan District, Nepal, aimed to assess and quantify variations in total soil organic matter (TSOMC), labile organic matter fraction (CL), stable organic matter fraction (CS), stability ratio (SR), and carbon management index (CMI) across seven land use types: pastureland, forestland, fruit orchards, small-scale conventional agricultural land, large-scale conventional agricultural land, large-scale alternative fallow and conventional agricultural land, and organic farming agricultural land. The study also explored the potential use of the Carbon Management Index (CMI) and stability ratio (SR) as indicators of soil degradation or improvement in response to land use changes.ResultsThe findings revealed significant differences in mean values of TSOMC, CL, and CS among the different land use types. Forestland and organic farming exhibited significantly higher TSOMC (3.24%, 3.12%) compared to fruit orchard lands (2.62%), small scale conventional farming (2.22%), alternative fallow and conventional farming (2.06%), large scale conventional farming (1.84%) and pastureland (1.20%). Organic farming and Forestland also had significantly higher CL (1.85%, 1.84%) and CS (1.27%, 1.39%) compared to all other land use types. Forest and organic farming lands showed higher CMI values, while pastures and forests exhibited higher SR values compared to the rest of the land use types.ConclusionsThis study highlights the influence of various land use types on soil organic matter pools and demonstrates the potential of CMI and SR as indicators for assessing soil degradation or improvement in response to land use and land cover changes.

Assessing differential land use impacts on soil quality: A method based on log-response ratios and polygonal projections

Soil quality indices (SQI) used for assessing soil degradation are often developed using additive scoring functions. However, these SQI may lack reference values for interpreting their outputs and the capacity to differentiate changes in specific variables. To overcome these limitations, this study introduces SQI using Log Response Ratios (LRR) as measures of size effects caused by land use in physical, chemical, and microbiological soil quality indicators. LRR vectors projected 2D polygons with condensed change measures along their perimeters. This method was tested in andosols within the southeastern region of Antioquia, Colombia. These soils were subjected to contrasting stages of degradation determined by the extent of A-horizon removal due to land use practices. This study shows that mining and agriculture have detrimental effects on soil organic carbon and water contents, and that size effects vary significantly between land uses (p < 0.05). Microbiological features also exhibit distinct size effects, such as populations of culturable mesophilic bacteria and fungi, microbial basal respiration, spore density of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), their diversity, and total glomalin-related soil proteins (p < 0.05). The SQI proposed exhibited a negative correlation with SQI computed from scoring additive functions either considering the entire dataset (R2 = 0.87) or a minimum dataset (R2 = 0.90). This approach underscores the utility of using LRR geometrical analysis to assess global soil quality differences among land uses (p < 0.01), offering a visual, quantifiable representation of the effects of each land use over specific soil quality indicators.

Current Soil Degradation Assessment in the Thua Thien Hue Province, Vietnam, by Multi-Criteria Analysis and GIS Technology

This article aims to provide a scientific basis for solutions to use soil cover for sustainable agricultural and rational forestry development. We used traditional methods such as survey and data collection; soil profile comparison method; vegetation indicator for soil degradation; determining the physical and chemical limiting factors of the soil; combined with the application of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) technology and the multi-criteria method (MCE) to conduct a soil degradation assessment for the Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. In this study, nine indicators affecting the current soil degradation were selected and then the single-dimensional maps were superimposed to form the current soil degradation map for the study area at a scale of 1/10,000. The study results show that: lightly degraded soil accounts for 48.81% of the total natural area of the study area; medium degradation accounts for 22.07%; and severe degradation accounts for 19.66%. The study results show that most of the soil in the study area is at a moderate to severe level of degradation and shows the need for synchronous implementation of reasonable solutions to prevent degradation and use soil sustainably in the Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam.

Soil erosion and degradation assessment integrating multi-parametric methods of RUSLE model, RS, and GIS in the Shaqlawa agricultural area, Kurdistan Region, Iraq.

This study evaluated soil erosion rates in the Shaqlawa district using the Geographical Information System (GIS)-based Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model. The primary objective was to identify areas within the district that are prone to significant erosion and develop appropriate soil conservation schemes accordingly. A combination of primary and secondary data from diverse sources was utilized to achieve this objective. The GIS-based RUSLE model used variables like soil erodibility (K), soil coverage (C), topographic effect (LS), rainfall runoff (R), and erosion control practices (P) to estimate the amount of soil that had been washed away in the study area. The study provided valuable information that can be used to plan and administer soil protection in the Shaqlawa district. The average yearly soil loss in the study region is estimated to be 65.66 t ha-1 year-1. The district is experiencing significant soil erosion rates, which may have detrimental effects on agricultural productivity, water quality, and environmental health. The analysis revealed that Balisan, Hiran, Shaqlawa center, and part of the Salahaddin subdistrict are the most affected areas, with high values of LS and R factors contributing to significant soil erosion rates. These results underscore the importance of soil protection and management efforts in the Shaqlawa district. The combination of the RUSLE with GIS and remote sensing techniques has been recognized as an essential, cost-effective, and highly accurate approach for estimating soil erosion.

Assessment of potential soil degradation on various land uses in Keduang Watershed

Keduang watershed is a catchment area in the Wonogiri and Karanganyar districts, contributing 38.33% of sedimentation to the Gajah Mungkur Reservoir. High value population pressure is present on agricultural land in the Keduang watershed, triggering increasingly serious land degradation. Degradation in the upstream sub-watershed has a strong effect on the downstream areas. Impacts of land degradation include a decrease in land productivity and farmers’ income, as well as the occurrence of critical land. Assessment of the potential soil degradation is important as an early indicator to determine the distribution of areas that have potential soil degradation for physical, chemical, and biological soil. This research was conducted in the Keduang watershed with the land use type consisting of paddy field, wood, moor, and plantation that overlayed through land use, rainfall, slope, and soil type map. The method used in this research is guided qualification. The result showed that the Keduang watershed has a soil degradation class from low to high. The medium class dominated the potential for soil degradation in Keduang watershed with the highest potential for degradation refers to moor with a slope of >40%, rainfall of 1908 mm/year, and Inceptisols soil type.

Enhancing Soil Degradation Assessment through the Integration of GIS and RS: A Comprehensive Review

GIS and RS are powerful tools that play a crucial role in natural resource management, especially when it comes to assessing soil degradation. Soil degradation is a long-standing global problem, and to understand the role of GIS and RS in addressing it, data from secondary sources were collected and analyzed. Several researchers have utilized GIS and RS, integrated with the Universal Soil Loss Equation (USLE), to assess soil degradation. Their findings reveal that soil erosion, triggered primarily by water, is a critical form of land degradation. This erosion significantly reduces the potential capacity of the soil, posing threats to economic growth, environmental resources, and social assets. Furthermore, the severity of soil erosion varies across different regions of the country. Despite the valuable insights gained through studies using GIS and RS for soil degradation assessment, their contributions are not yet widely recognized by government organizations, NGOs, policymakers, decision-makers, environmentalists, and researchers. This lack of recognition hinders the attention and action that could be directed towards mitigating soil degradation. To address this issue, this paper aims to comprehensively review the contributions of GIS and RS in assessing soil degradation. By doing so, it seeks to raise awareness among key stakeholders and foster greater attention and support for tackling this critical environmental challenge.

Assessment of Soil Degradation Based On Soil Properties and Spatial Analysis in Dryland Farming

Assessment of Soil Degradation Based On Soil Properties and Spatial Analysis in Dryland Farming

Зміна біотичних властивостей ґрунтів унаслідок сильватизації колишніх сільськогосподарських угідь (Сколівські Бескиди, Українські Карпати)

The article deals with an impact of the former agriculture land abandonment on biotic properties of soils. In order to better comprehend the processes of spontaneous reforestation (sylvatisation) in a mountain region (the Pohartsi boundary, Koziova village, Stryi district, Lviv regionthe (Skolivski Beskydy physiographic region, the Ukrainian Carpathians) four study plots were selected representing the successional sequence: forest → pasture → hay meadow → arable lands. The study revealed that indicators of microbiological activity is positively affected by the forest floor presence. A zone of the highest soil biotic activity coincides with the limits of the humus horizon Н. Getting deeper into soil profile microbiological activity falls manifold due to changes in physical, hydrophysical and physical-chemical soil properties. In the pasture lands that were least affected by the past agricultural activities, we found both increase and decrease in soil biotic properties. This is foremost caused by the environmental changes. Absence of the forest floor, as a major nutrient source, leads to the 30% decrease in the biomass microorganisms while soil pH shift from a largely to moderately acidic reaction causes 1,5-times higher catalase activity. The latter was the highest in the former pasture lands among all study plots and was assessed as “moderate”. Increase in the urease activity was documented, as well. However its highest values were measured in upper soil horizons of both past and present arable lands. Such an increase of the urease activity is caused by application of organic fertilizers. Despite slightly acidic reaction of the soil water extract from upper horizons of ploughed-up soils the catalase activity here decreases up to 2–2.5 times. This is caused by deterioration of hydric and aeration properties of soils due to their compaction. We noted manifold decrease in the С-СО2 production, as well. The most optimal soil parameters were characteristic for the hay meadow plot despite being significantly affected by anthropogenic activities while the succession of ‘arable lands → pasture → hay meadow’ took a path. Similar moderate soil biotic activity was distinguished for the former pasture land plots. This indicates on the self-restoration and self-regulation capacities of natural ecosystems in the region. We concluded that major indicators of soil biotic activity in the past arable lands are the urease activity, microbial biomass, and soil respiration. The catalase activity makes an additional value for soil degradation assessment of the post-agricultural land uses.

Estimation the Volume of Water Erosion for Jadida Valley Basin in Erbil, Northern Iraq

This study examined the potential of predicting the volume of water erosion using the erosion probability model, which is one of the most widely used methods for assessing soil degradation within drainage basins. This research aimed to determine the surface areas subjected to erosion and the resulting sediment quantities during one year, after demonstrating the impact of various natural conditions on the basin using remote sensing technology, which was represented by modern satellite visuals with the introduction and analysis of these visuals in the context of geographic information systems, as well as the application of a set of mathematical equations.This study shows that locations with high topography are always subjected to torrential waters, resulting in significant erosion, as opposed to plain areas, where erosion is weak or non-existent. The amount of soil lost in the basin ranged from 0.056–6900 m3/km2/year, and also included places with minimal erosion (26.705%) While weak erosion was found in 43.890% of the entire to the basin, moderate erosion was found in 20.929%, severe erosion was found in 5.762% and very severe erosion was found in 2.713% which includes places with steep slopes and no vegetation. The annual average of water erosion in the basin is projected to be 797.434 m3/km2/year, with an annual volume of eroded soil in the basin of around 321129.861 m3/year, necessitating the development of a plan to manage drift and reduce the danger of water erosion in the basin.

Soil degradation assessment of some selected land use in two Agro ecological zones of Gombe State, Nigeria

Soil degradation remains a global environmental phenomenon caused by anthropogenic activities. The assessment of degradation status of soils in some selected land uses of two agro ecological zones of Gombe state was carried out. Representative soil samples from four land uses were collected from 0 - 30 cm depths (cultivated, Fadama, forest and mining land). The soil samples were labeled, air-dried, crushed, sieved through a 2 mm mesh, and subjected to various physical and chemical analyses. Data collected were subjected to descriptive statistics and soil degradation assessment was done following standard procedures. The levels of degradation of soils were assessed using the standard indicators and criteria for land degradation assessment by the Global Assessment of Land Degradation. Analytical data from each sample were placed in a degradation class by matching the soil characteristics with the land degradation indicators, while estimation of the overall degree of degradation was arrived at mathematically, using physical, chemical, and biological parameters. The results shows that the textural class of the soil ranged from clay to sandy loam. Permeability ranged from 0.10 to 7.97 cm hr-1 corresponding low to high permeability. Bulk density ranged from 1.24 to 1.62 g cm-3. Organic matter was very low in all the study sites. Available phosphorus ranged from 6.2 to 15.5 mgkg-1. Total nitrogen was predominantly low (0.05 – 0.08%) in all the land uses. Exchangeable Sodium Percentage (ESP) of the sites depicted that most of the soils were non sodic soils (0.71 – 1.61%). The potential for all the land uses are moderately degraded varied from Fadama land (41.67%), cultivated land (44.44%), mining land (47.22%) and forest land (50%), respectively. The major barriers in the study areas were low fertility, and soil conservation measures. In order to optimize crop production in these areas, there may be need to introduce soil conservation measures. The practice may include use of farm yard manure, compost, crop residues, green manure or poultry manure to boost soil fertility. Regular monitoring of the fertility status of the soils is encouraged.

Assessment of Soil Degradation and Hazards of Some Heavy Metals, Using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques in the Northern Part of the Nile Delta, Egypt

Soil degradation and pollution is one of the main problems threatening the sustainable development of agriculture. This study used remote sensing and geographic information system (GIS) techniques to assess the risks of soil degradation and the risks of heavy metals in some soils north of the Nile Delta. The study area suffers from salinity, alkalinity, and water logging, so a spatial degradation model was used. Relying on landsat ETM+ images and the digital elevation model (DEM), it was possible to produce a geomorphological map, and it showed that the studied area consists of two landscapes, i.e., flood plain and lacustrine plain. The results indicated that salinization, alkalization, compaction, and water logging were the main types of soil degradation in the studied area. The spatial land degradation model showed that 16.61% of soils were affected by low degrees of degradation, 74.03% were affected by moderate degrees, and 9.36% were affected by high degrees of degradation. The studied area was affected by chemical degradation risks between low and high at 90.62% and 9.37%, respectively, while the physical degradation risks varied between low, moderate, high, and very high with percentages of 9.37%, 41.53%, 40.14%, and 8.93%, respectively. The environmental risks of heavy metals were assessed in the studied area using pollution indices including, the enrichment factor (EF), the pollution load index (PLI), and the potential ecological risk index (PER).

Involvement of Soil Microorganisms in C, N and P Transformations and Phytotoxicity in Soil from Post-Industrial Areas Treated with Chemical Industry Waste

Soil degradation is an unavoidable phenomenon that poses a real threat, as it limits soil utility and reduces its resources. Early assessment of soil degradation can prevent its further deterioration. Various parameters of soil microbial activity may be helpful in this evaluation. Therefore, the purpose of the study was to assess the usefulness of microbiological (total abundance of oligotrophic bacteria and filamentous fungi), biochemical (soil respiration) and enzymatic (dehydrogenase, protease, acid and alkaline phosphatase activity and fluorescein hydrolytic activity) indicators, as well as phytotoxicity, in monitoring the condition of chemically degraded soils due to severe alkalization. The experimental material was soil collected in three sites located at different distances from the reservoir with liquid post-production waste. The analyzed indicators were correlated with the physical and chemical properties of the soil in three variants at the level of sampling sites, soil profile and seasonal variability. All analyzed parameters showed significant changes in the level of their activity at individual sampling sites. The location closest to the waste reservoir was characterized by the lowest values of the discussed activities and the highest phytotoxicity. Individual activities also showed changes depending on the season and soil layer. Considering the usefulness in monitoring changes in soils exposed to chemical degradation, total bacterial and fungal counts, as well as acid and alkaline phosphatase activities and fluorescein hydrolytic activity proved to be the most sensitive indicators.

Farmer-science-based soil degradation metrics guide prioritization of catchment-tailored control measures

Locally valid and up-to-date soil degradation surveys that account for the spatial variability and the dynamic nature of degradation processes within environmentally diverse catchments are scant. Failure to understand local priorities and involve land users in the assessment of soil degradation and restoration initiatives however might compromise the adoption of effective soil and water conservation (SWC) measures. This paper presents farmer-science-based metrics (FSBM) of soil degradation status for locally perceived degradation processes, thereby using socio-economically relevant criteria and permitting a standardized comparison of their status across various decision-making entities. The approach was tested in the low-, mid-and highland agro-ecological zones (AEZs) in two catchments of the Lake Abaya-Chamo Basin, Ethiopia. After defining land users' relevant classes of land degradation degree, extent and impact, the soil degradation status perceived by 384 household heads was collected during face-to-face interviews. The respondents' evaluation of soil degradation status was translated into numerical scores (FSBM) and shown on radar diagrams, stratified by AEZ and catchment. Our findings demonstrate that the adopted FSBM offered spatially explicit information on the three dimensions of degradation status by soil degradation type. Disentangling degree, extent and impact revealed the diversified occurrence of the soil degradation processes between and within similar AEZs of the catchments. Natural and human factors were pinpointed as causes, while assessment of consequences revealed spill-over effects of soil erosion taking place in midland AEZs into the lowlands. Biophysical aspects, socio-economic characteristics and proximity to training centers played significant roles in the respondents’ perceptions. Despite the subjectivity associated with FSBM, our findings demonstrate that involving land users in the assessment of soil degradation provided a comprehensive overview of soil degradation status and current bottlenecks in its combat.

Physico-Chemical Characterization and Evaluation of Soil Structural Stability in the Oued Joumouaa Watershed (Western Prerif)

Soil degradation leads to alteration of ecological and economic functions due to a decrease in productivity and quality of the soil. The aim of the present study was to assess soil degradation by identifying physic-chemical soil factors in order to identify soil properties that could be used as indicators for future soil quality conservation programs and their relationship with soil erosion risk in the Oued Joumouaa watershed. Soil samples from three locations with, on average, from 0 to 20 cm depth. distributed on three stations, in a random way. Using discriminant and factor analyses, principal soil factors were identified. The results of the physico-chemical analyses (texture, pH, organic matter, calcium carbonate, assimilable phosphorus, exchangeable potassium, structural stability), show that the soils have silty-clayey-sandy textures, moderately basic pH (7.8 to 8), carbonate rate which varies from (16.86 to 20.36). The organic matter varies from 1.73 to 3.94. The assimilable phosphorus varies from 13.46 to 14.85, The structural stability of these soils under water revealed that they are generally unstable, with average weight diameters ranging from 0.56 (station 1) to 1.1 (station 2) and 1 (station 3). Therefore, it is suggested that the present study can be applied to projects with special relevance to soil scientists, environmental scientists and planning agencies that can use the present study as baseline data to combat land degradation and conserve land resources in an efficient manner.

Assessing Soil Degradation and Risk in Relation to Metal Pollution in Hindon River Water-Irrigated Soils of Western Uttar Pradesh of India

Assessing Soil Degradation and Risk in Relation to Metal Pollution in Hindon River Water-Irrigated Soils of Western Uttar Pradesh of India

Environmental criteria and indicators for assessing the optimality of the parameters of the agricultural land use system

The article analyzes the current state of the regulatory framework in the field of land use and protection, which is the basis for assessing the optimality of the ecological parameters of the agricultural land use system. It was established that the vast majority of standards (optimal parameters) in the researched field are of a recommendatory nature, and therefore need to be systematized and consolidated in the relevant legal acts. The need for the structuring of ecological criteria and indicators for assessing the optimality of the parameters of the agricultural land use system, taking into account the norms of the Law of Ukraine "On Land Protection" regarding regulations in the field of land protection and reproduction of soil fertility, is substantiated. Taking into account the Law of Ukraine "On Land Protection", the division of criteria and indicators for assessing the ratio of land plots is given; criteria and indicators for assessing man-made soil pollution; criteria and indicators of soil quality assessment; criteria and indicators of land and soil degradation assessment. The optimal parameters of the ratio of land areas and the norms of assessments of the ecological state of lands caused by man-made pollution are highlighted. Optimum parameters of the volume mass of soils are indicated on the example of sod-podzolic sandy soil. Optimum parameters of the qualitative state of soils and diagnostic criteria and indicators of agrophysical and agrochemical degradation of soils are indicated.