1 Department of Geography, Ștefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Romania 2 Babeș-Bolyai University of Cluj Napoca, Geography Faculty
Pages:
39 - 47
Abstract:
Beginning with the statement that the economic activities of the
main sector occupy a majority share in Suceava Plateau, this study aims to
highlight the negative impact that the use of the land has on soil. The
determination of soil loss from the said area will be accomplished through a
GIS analysis using the USLE model (Universal Soil Loss Equation), where, in
addition to the land utilization will be taken into consideration a number of
other factors regarding the climatic, soil and topographic particularities. The
result of this type of modeling permits an inventory of the soil loss values and
the identification of areas where the admitted quality of soil loss is exceeded,
therefore, being lost the main nutrient elements of the soil, decreasing
fertility. The utility of the USLE model application is found in determining the
crops alternation structures or in determining the soil protection measures.
Moreover USLE model is an effective tool in defining a territory’s dysfunctions
connected to the soil’s degradation, screening an eloquent image of the
existing situation regarding the environmental quality in developing the land
setup plans.
Keywords:
Land use managemnet, USLE model, soil erosion, administrative territorial units