Analysis of the Impact of Soil Compaction on the Environment and Agricultural Economic Losses in Lithuania and Ukraine

Andrii Zabrodskyi, Egidijus Šarauskis, Savelii Kukharets, Antanas Juostas, Gediminas Vasiliauskas and Albinas Andriušis
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Andrii Zabrodskyi: Agriculture Academy, Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Safety, Vytautas Magnus University, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
Egidijus Šarauskis: Agriculture Academy, Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Safety, Vytautas Magnus University, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
Savelii Kukharets: Department of Mechanical and Engineering Agroecosystems, Polissia National University, 10002 Zhytomyr, Ukraine
Antanas Juostas: Agriculture Academy, Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Safety, Vytautas Magnus University, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
Gediminas Vasiliauskas: Agriculture Academy, Institute of Agricultural Engineering and Safety, Vytautas Magnus University, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania
Albinas Andriušis: Agriculture Academy, Institute of Power and Transport Machinery Engineering, Vytautas Magnus University, 44248 Kaunas, Lithuania

Sustainability, 2021, vol. 13, issue 14, 1-13

Abstract: Soil compaction (SC) is one of the most damaging degradation processes. The effects of compaction are closely related to crop losses and GHG emissions due to additional fuel use. It is therefore important not only to correctly monitor the condition of the soil and the restoration of damaged soil but also to understand the costs of excessive exploitation of soil and individual risks in different countries and continents. A model of equations has been developed to assess the effects of compaction that can be used on a national or even single farm scale. However, for its further application, more data should be collected. Based on the data available in the public domain, the damage caused by compaction was compared between Ukrainian (UA) and Lithuanian (LT) scenarios as these countries have a similar situation but different levels of soil resource management. Soil characteristics, such as soil types and predisposition to compaction, depending on its type, were assessed in both countries. The main parameters used to estimate the damage due to SC were: yield loss; additional fuel consumption; losses of N, P, K fertilizers, water pollution, and flooding; erosion; and GHG emissions. The results reveal potential annual losses due to compaction of around EUR 27 million for Lithuania and around EUR 1.6 billion for Ukraine. Expected potential average losses per hectare of arable land are about EUR 49 ha −1 y −1 for Ukraine (33.9 million ha or 56.76% of the total area) and about EUR 13 ha −1 y −1 for Lithuania (2.11 million ha or 33.77%). Potential crop losses are one of the costliest consequences of compaction. They could cost about EUR 1 billion annually for Ukraine and about EUR 10.7 million for Lithuania. Moreover, the additional use of fuel and the associated GHG emissions can probably take away EUR 180 million (UA) and about EUR 4 million (LT) each year.

Keywords: soil compaction; compaction costs; erosion costs; damage to environment; yield loss (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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