COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF SOIL DEGRADATION AND SOIL STRUCTURE IN CROPLANDS AFFECTED BY EROSION AND SOIL DEHYDRATION TREATED WITH A BIOLOGICAL SOIL CRUST FORMING ALGAL CULTURE

Abstract

Climate-related land degradation and desertification threaten around half of EU member states. In Hungary, wind and water erosion affects 2.3 million hectares of land. One of the most important indicators of soil degradation is the water retention capacity of the soil. Therefore, the primary objective is to maintain or increase it. Due to their adaptation to extreme enviromental conditions, soil algae can survive in drought-stricken areas. With their contribution, biological soil crusts can be formed on the top layer of the soil. Soil crusts can stabilize the surface of the soils, enhance the water retainment, thus indirectly contributing to the settlement of higher order