ANTHROPOGENIC EFFECTS IN THE SHIRVAN PLAIN AND THEIR CREATION REASONS

Abstract

            At present anthropogenic (human) factor is considered to be one of the main factors that lead to withdrawal of fertile soils from the agricultural cycle. Anthropogenic effect means the correct irrigation norms, conduction of anthropogenic cultivations in the soil, amelioration measures etc. are noted.  Anthropogenic impact on ecosystem creates some ecological problems. During conduction of the researches in the field of agriculture it was determined that the soil looses a part of the nutrients in soil composition during crop production. As a precautionary measure to prevent such processes, failure to restore the nutrient balance and timely application of organic and mineral fertilizers, overexploitation of the soil and strict adherence to agro-technical rules lead to further deterioration of the soil condition.  Exposure of natural landscape complexes of our republic to anthropogenic influences during their use in agriculture is becoming widespread.

            Recently, the Shirvan plain is also considered to be one of the areas affected by anthropogenic influences and attracts attention as a research zone. Exposure of the natural landscapes to anthropogenic influences in the Shirvan plain causes decrease of the soil fertility, entry of some dangerous toxic elements into the food chain due to its structural pollution. It was beginning for creation of different diseases in the living organism. Ecologically assessment of agro-landscapes in the Shirvan plain and study of their impact on human healthy are considered optimization of agro-landscapes and determination of the eco-system organization methods. There is a great role of the field researches during study of anthropogenic impact in the Shirvan plain. During the field researches in the Shirvan plain the mathematic-statistical, historical-geographical, comparative-geographical methods were used. Among the anthropogenic influences in the Shirvan plain, the application of excessive irrigation due to incorrect stabilization of the moisture regime in the regions where irrigation agriculture is developed has caused a number of changes in the composition of the soil. Application of irrigation agriculture in the Shirvan plain for a long time caused formation of different agro-landscapes. At the end of XIX century, at the beginning of the XX century, as a result of low level of irrigation system in the Shirvan plain, the amelioration measures weren’t applied here. During those times the irrigation system was performed with the digging and flooding method, this led to excessive water consumption.

Therefore, it was possible to locate the sowing areas near water basins and this was performed to prevent water loss. Recently, during our researches in the Shirvan plain it was determined that the Tugay forests were mostly subjected to anthropogenic impact. Its main reason is the establishment of apricot, cherry, date orchards and the expansion of cotton fields.