| title: |
Soils of Estonia: properties, ecology, evaluation of status, sustainable management, taxonomy. |
| reg no: |
SF0172613s03 |
| project type: |
targeted financing |
| subject: |
1.10-1.16. Bio-Geo Sciences
|
| status: |
accepted |
| institution: |
Estonian Agricultural University |
| head of project: |
Raimo Kõlli |
| duration: |
01.01.2003 - 31.12.2007 |
| description: |
To assure equilibrium environmental status, to arrange an effective agricultural and forest management and to organise ecologically sound utilisation of territory the society must own know-how about soil concern information on the whole state as well as on local levels. The Estonian society's perception of soil must be perfected at actual time. The main goals of the project are: (1) to give a systematic characterisation of arable and forest soil properties on pedon level, (2) to study soil ecology in dependence of land use peculiarities, (3) to elaborate the criteria and principles for soil status evaluation, (4) to elaborate the ways for sustainable soil use and (5) to develop the Estonian soil taxonomy. The theoretical base of the research form from two essential principles: (1) locality of soil concern problems and (2) development of soils in tight concordance with local environmental conditions. The main data treated in project are originated from long-term experimental and field treatment areas network, from model experiments and from different databases, some of which will be updated in the course of research. The Department of Soil Science & Agrochemistry EAU has relatively well furnished laboratory and experienced laboratory assistants for the starting of project. In the project are participated 4 highly qualified soil scientists as well as 8 workers applying doctor of science and 5 master of science degree. The results of the project enable to develop scientifically well-founded methods for soil cover use in agriculture and forestry, which is effective and friendly for nature. From the taxonomic view point the systemic overview or model about Estonian post- and synlithogenic mineral- and organic soil species properties, ecology and sustainable use are created. |