A detailed identification of erosionally endangered agricultural land in Slovakia (case study of Nitra Upland)

Abstract

Water erosion and its processes are the most widespread and serious degradation phenomena in Slovakia (occurring in about 37% of the agricultural land). Given the increasing use of precise land management, it is necessary to have more detailed databases, especially in erosion-accumulation areas. The aim of the research was to identify in detail the areas of erosion-accumulation processes induced by water erosion, which can be considered as highly heterogeneous. In the territory of the Nitra upland the field survey methodology and grid mapping were used, the results of which were verified through soil erosion models. The mapping was done at the topic level and was verified using the USLE and ERDEP soil erosion models in ArcGIS. A comparison of the results of the potential model and real field parameters of soil erosion in the Nitra upland enabled us to generate dominant factors, respectively identify areas prone to soil erosion, and provided a detailed database for precise farming. At the same time, the results became the basis for a review of the current classification by erosion endangered soils. Overall, the methodology is suitable as a basis for developing sustainable management proposals in agricultural land affected by soil erosion risk.