Changes in agricultural land use and in plant nutrient balances of arable soils in Estonia

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of changes in agricultural land use and in the plant nutrient balances on the degradation of soils in Estonia. The plant nutrient balances of arable soils in Estonia were calculated at the national level. After the re-establishment of the independence of Estonia, in the transition to market economy, agricultural production has undergone a drastic decline. Agricultural land use has declined most of all in the regions with low soil fertility. Decreased and low-input agricultural production has reduced pressure on the surrounding environment but owing to the inadequate use of fertilizers, the balance of the main plant nutrients is at present negative. In the 1990s, crop production has occurred largely at the expense of soil resources. Current agri-environmental policy should be supplemented with measures for preventing degradation of soils due to the depletion of plant nutrient reserves of arable soils.

Keywords:

• Land use changes
• soil nutrient balances
• soil fertility
• degradation

Acknowledgements

The present study was supported by the Estonian Science Foundation grant No. 4819. We would like to thank the Estonian Land Board, Estonian Agricultural Research Centre, Estonian Agricultural Registers and Information Board for their collaboration during the research.