Cartographic modeling of soil acidity level of the Zdolbuniv district of the Rivne region

Abstract

The economic use of agricultural land requires systematic agrochemical surveys, a balanced analysis of the results obtained and the adoption of the right decisions to improve soil fertility, increase agricultural efficiency, and preserve the environment. One of the most important tools in this type of research is mapping modelling. The purpose of this article is to study and analyse the level of soil acidity in one of the most agriculturally developed regions of Rivne Oblast - Zdolbuniv district. Based on the results of the last three rounds of scheduled agrochemical certification of agricultural land (rounds 9-11, 2007-2017) conducted by the Rivne branch of the State Institution "Derzhgruntoochorona", the weighted average indicators of soil pH were calculated in the context of former village councils, a corresponding database was created, and the author's own thematic maps and diagrams were created. The thematic maps were developed using ArcMap software, the coordinate system was Pulkovo 1942 GK Zone 5, the scale was 1:250,000, and the main method of depiction was cartograms. The dynamics of soil acidity in the region during the last three rounds of surveys was summarised and analysed, making it possible to identify areas with optimal, high or low values of indicators, and to identify possible problematic or potentially fertile lands. Specific recommendations for improving soil acidity were provided, primarily for medium acidic soils in the former Staromoshchanytsia and Stupnivka village councils and medium alkaline soils in the former Myrotyn and Uizdets village councils. Thematic maps and diagrams created in this way, with other additional and detailed data, can become an important basis for making informed management decisions to optimise soil acidity both on the territory of former village councils and agricultural formations, individual fields and plots.