The soils

Abstract

The soils of Lake Prespa can be distinguished according to their degree of development, drainage condition, texture, content of coarse fragments, topography, degree of erosion and the presence of impermeable layers. A generalized land evaluation was carried out according to which land suitability was assessed for major uses including arable farming, pasture, forestry, wildlife, and recreation and tourism development. Furthermore, the soils were classified in different groups for environmental protection by means of both the protection of areas with high ecological value against any agricultural activity and the delineation of the lands susceptible to degradation such as soil erosion, through intensive arable farming, and groundwater contamination, through intensive irrigation and the application of high amounts of fertilizers and pesticides. © 1997 Kluwer Academic Publishers.