THE SUITABILITY OF SOUTHEASTERN AREAS OF ROMANIA FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF SHELTERBELTS.

Shelterbelts proved to be important structures that provide water preservation and wind protection for humans, their activities, and crops but they also promote biodiversity, by providing a diversity of habitats for wildlife, contributing to a natural balance of harmful and useful species, and promoting biological control of pests. Shelterbelts were used since the 17th century, but their extensive use begin in the 19th century, following numerous scientific studies that proved their beneficial effects on soil and environment. As climatic and soil conditions are very specific for different regions, the impact of these factors on plants used to build the shelterbelts must be carefully analyzed prior to shelterbelts installation. The southern and southeastern plains of Romania are the regions most affected by climate change, especially drought. Because the area is outspread, with a very diverse soil cover, classified in different soil classes as cernisols (typical chernozem), luvisols (preluvosol), hydrisols (gleiosol), protisols (alluvial), etc., soil surveys are mandatory. In the present paper we try to highlight the importance of determining the soil suitability for the establishment of shelterbelts, especially for those agricultural lands prone to frequent droughts, as those in steppe areas of the Roman Plain. Soil profiles were opened, and surveys were performed, the soil being characterized morphologically and physico-chemically. For each type of soil, the soils were divided according to the main criteria for grouping the lands according to the forest suitability as: soil volume, soil thickness up to compact rock, skeleton content, texture, compaction, salinization / alkalization, humus content, slope category, surface and depth erosion, landslides, groundwater level, etc. The current study may be a model for the suitability of land in lowland areas frequently affected by drought, with similar physical and geographical conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]