Ecological status of soil cover and risk issues for population: Republic of Moldova

Abstract

The degradation of agricultural land in Moldova is a serious problem, largely related to agricultural management. The main forms and types of soil degradation are presented by water erosion processes, loss of humus content, long-term use the land on the arable, destrcturation and compaction, salinization and alkalization, etc. Ecological status of soil cover in the last 25 years has led to increased the migration flows, unemployment, development of chronic diseases of the population, worsening environmental situation in the region. Ecological status of agricultural land is influenced to climate change, effects of agricultural reforms, other economic and social factors. Soil protection must be one of the objectives of the National System of Land Monitoring within which it is necessary to develop ecological norms and standards from land use. First of all it is necessary to establish optimal and critical levels for various soil indicators according to their genesis, climatic zones, crops and cultivation technologies, to make long-term prediction on soil quality and to present concrete recommendations for regulation of unfavorable processes. Moreover, a great attention should be given to measures necessary to adapt soil resources, crops, pastures and livestock to climate change - drought conditions.