SOIL CONSERVATION – CONSERVATION OF THE FUTURE: AN AGROECOLOGICAL STUDY OF THE BEREZNE REGION

Abstract

The article examines the agroecological condition of land resources in the Berezne territorial community of Rivne region within the context of current challenges to sustainable land use. Under the conditions of intensified agricultural production in Polissia, particularly in the Berezne region, anthropogenic pressure on land resources is increasing. This leads to a number of negative environmental consequences, including reduced soil fertility, intensified erosion processes, salinization, pollution, depletion of the organo-mineral composition, and disruption of the natural balance of ecosystems. Within the scope of this study, the natural and geographical conditions of the area were analyzed, soil types were identified, and their main properties were characterized. Special attention was given to identifying factors causing soil degradation, among which water erosion, disruption of crop rotation, excessive use of mineral fertilizers, and land drainage play a leading role. The assessment of soil fertility allowed the identification of potential ecological risks that threaten the sustainable functioning of the region’s agroecosystem. The relevance of the chosen topic is driven by the growing anthropogenic load on soil resources, which leads to the disruption of their natural balance, decreased productivity, and loss of ecosystem functions. The aim of the study is to analyze the current state of land resources in the Berezne territorial community, identify the main ecological challenges, and develop effective recommendations for their conservation and rational use. The object of the study includes both natural and anthropogenic processes that cause qualitative changes in soils. The subject of the study comprises quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the area's soil cover. Based on the results, directions for the conservation and restoration of soil resources to ensure sustainable agricultural use were substantiated, including the implementation of environmentally sound farming methods, agroforestry and land reclamation, organic fertilization, and anti-erosion measures. The results of the study may serve as a foundation for further applied research and the development of effective soil protection strategies as a key factor in ensuring environmental safety, preserving biodiversity, and maintaining the socio-economic stability of the region.