Technical efficiency of soil erosion control measures in Şomuzul mic catchment, Suceava Plateau

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to establish the technical efficiency of soil erosion control measures in the catchment of Somuzul Mic. It is located in the southern part of the Suceava Plateau and occupies approximately 9,600 ha. Natural condition in relation with inappropriate farming techniques causes soil degradation by erosion. Surface erosion and gully erosion occurs on large surface of agricultural land, arable land and pastures representing the most affected land use categories. Somuzul Mic soil erosion control facility is located northeast of Falticeni town and occupies the entire surface of the Somuzul Mic catchment. It is bordered by the Somuzul Mare soil erosion control facility to the west, the Siret river to the east, the Lisaura-Liteni soil erosion control facility to the north and the Dolhasca soil erosion control facility to the south. It was put into operation in 1979 with a capacity of 9,430 ha soil erosion control measures, 28,35 km facilities for controlling gully erosion and 56,40 ha terracing, currently about half of the facilities requiring urgent rehabilitation measures.