Journal of Environmental Biology

The effect of agricultural land use on soil erosion processes

at upland landscape in Slovakia

V. Petlu?ov?*, P. Petlu? and J. Hre?ko

Department of Ecology and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Constantine the Philosopher University in Nitra, Nitra, 949 74, Slovakia

*Corresponding Author E-mail: vpetlusova@ukf.sk

Key words

Agricultural land,

Land use changes,

Morphometric relief properties,

Water erosion

Publication Data

Paper received : 20.08.2016

Revised received : 25.06.2017

Accepted : 28.06.2017

Abstract

Aim: Water erosion has the biggest impact on soil degradation in Slovakia. It occurs mainly on arable land at upland type of country. The morphometric segmentation of uplands together with different land use fastens the erosion processes. The aim of the study was to identify the erosion effects of agricultural land use in selected upland localities in Slovakia based on alterations in land use and morphometric relief properties.

Methodology: The model area represents intensively used agricultural land at Hronsk?pahorkatina upland, Slovakia. Identification of erosion processes is based on historical and current land use by using the methodology assessment of land use change. Erosion processes were assessed based on from 1949 to 2015 and verified in field. 11 categories of land use change types were set. The process of intensification, preservation (no change) and extensification using high, middle and low type of change intensity was evaluated. The occurrence of high intensification process was observed to by the most common among them. By Kruskal-Wallis ANOVA test we confirmed the reason between the type of land use change and spatial distribution of increasing areas with soil erosion was also examined. Synthesis of land use changes, types and slope categories were used to assess areas with low, middle and high soil erosion potential.

Results: We identified processes in the study area. Intensification was found on 53 % of agricultural landscape in the study area. Extensification was found on 3.86% of agricultural landscape. The spatial effect of water erosion increase of 8.88 % in the years of 1949 to 2015. Water erosion risk areas represented 408.44 ha (27.78%).The areas with high potential cover 413.35 ha of agricultural land. Out of that 130.71 ha (31.62%) were eroded. These areas are currently used as large scale arable fields.

Interpretation: Land use management in the observed area was found to be evaluated not suitable, especially the homogenous and historically not justifiable layout of agricultural landscape. Based on the results we recommend preparation of a new layout for the agricultural landscape which will reflect the principles mechanism of landscape ecology of optimisation of agricultural land use.

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