The Relevance of the Use of Geographic Information Systems (Gis) for a Modern Degree Evaluation of Agricultural Land Degradation

Abstract

Purpose: determination and analysis of the relevance of the geographic information systems (GIS) use in assessing the degradation degree of agricultural land as a result of erosion processes. Discussion: the article is devoted to the problem of studying modern methods for assessing the state of agricultural lands subject to negative processes. Water and wind erosion (deflation) are the most widespread and harmful types of soil degradation. So, water erosion (19.32 % of the territory of the surveyed lands) is the most widespread on the agricultural lands of the Russian Federation. The main tool for identifying soil degradation processes is the monitoring system, and the most effective and promising method for assessing the degree of land degradation is the Earth remote sensing (ERS) method. All of the above, together with reclamation techniques (land reclamation, field-protective afforestation, etc.) is a means of preserving and improving the quality of agricultural land resources, including those prone to erosion and deflation. The main advantages and examples of detecting soil degradation using remote sensing data are presented. The analysis of information on the spread of negative processes on the lands of the Russian Federation is carried out. Based on the analysis of the current state of land erosion, it becomes urgently necessary to carry out a set of measures to stabilize and restore the fertility of agricultural land. Conclusions: objective and reliable data on the state of soil erosion can be obtained only by combining ground (agrochemical surveys) and remote sensing methods of the Earth. Since the assessment of the degree and territorial distribution of soil degradation types can be carried out with high reliability using aerospace photography materials and ground-based research data, it is necessary to use remote sensing methods of the Earth and geographic information systems more widely, in addition to field surveys.