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Soil erosion

Using agricultural techniques, heavy machinery and crop rotations that are unsuitable to soil characteristics, physical relief and climate conditions, leads to soil degradation:

• agrotechnical and technological erosion,
• wind erosion,
• water erosion.

As a result of soil erosion, the productive upper layer of soil deteriorates, the landscape is degraded, biodiversity is reduces, and the nutrient-enrichment of waterbodies which leads to eutrofication occurs.

Cause-oriented measures:

Elaboration and implementation of a system of scientifically substantiated anti-erosion measures:

• improvement of anti-erosion crop rotation and plantation structure;
• elaboration and implementation of appropriate fertilising and crop protection systems;
• implementation of suitable technologies and soil cultivation equipment.

Instruments necessary to carry out these measures are:

• law ‘On the Sustainable Use and Protection of Land Resources’ (not yet drafted)
• the Cabinet regulations ‘On the Sustainable Use and Protection of Eroded Soils’ (not yet drafted)
• guidelines and standards for the sustainable use and protection of eroded soils (not yet drafted)
• establishment of a monitoring programme of eroded soils
• education.

Effect-oriented measures:

mitigation of erosion and reclamation of eroded soils:

• elaboration of a system of measures to increase the productivity and buffer capacity of eroded soils;
• improvement and control of melioration and hydrotechnical activities;
• planning and arrangement of rural landscapes.

Instruments for implementation these measures include:

• State budget funding, soft loans;
• tax incentives and foreign investments;
• recommendations and planning;
• education.

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Last updated: November 8, 1996. The information prepared by Valts Vilnitis: fuxis@varam.gov.lv