Spatial Correlation Between Suffosion Processes and Land Use in Sălcuța Plain (Southwestern Romania)

Abstract

The present study aims to establish how the agricultural lands in Sălcuța Plain, a piedmont subunit of the Romanian Plain, are affected by the presence of micro-depressions on loess deposits. The formation of these micro-depressions is closely related to the chemical and mechanical compaction process, which is conditioned by several factors, including the thickness of the loess deposit, the quantity of carbonates in the deposit, local morphometry, paleogeographic evolution, and climatic conditions. Based on satellite imagery from the 2010-2019 period, 303 micro-depressions were identified. Out of the total number of depressions, 293 are located on agricultural lands, covering approximately 9.31 km2. On the surface of some of these depressions, soils with stagnant horizons (0.7 km2) have formed due to prolonged excess moisture. These types of soils gradually lead to the long-term degradation of agricultural lands. It is recommended to constantly monitor the evolution of soils with stagnant horizons and implement ameliorative agricultural measures in case an expansion of their area is observed in the long term.