W. Halicki, K. Kita
THE PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF THE USE OF THE AGRICULTURAL SOILS OF SIBERIA
The first section of this chapter presents issues regarding the current state of soil resources in the world. The second section focuses on agricultural development of Siberian land within Russia and the world and its hidden productive potential, which in the process of time will have greater economic importance. Evaluation of the current situation of agriculture in Siberia is presented as a result of the political and economic changes that have been a result of agriculture in Siberia, mainly in the 20th century. Agriculture development up to the end of the last century is presented in order to better understand land management, mechanism of change, and the consequent results from the total collapse of current agriculture. The third section presents the consequences of soil degradation caused by wind and water erosion, such as loss of humic compounds, and its effects on surface layers of soil, phosphorus content, nitrogen content, and potassium content. The fourth section is an introduction to the current volume of export and import of agricultural products in selected countries in Russia, particularly in Siberia. Thereafter, this section characterizes the main factors limiting the current use of land in Russia and Siberia, and describes their impact on the productivity of soils. The final section summarizes the existing state in the form of a conclusion and suggests actions to explore Siberian lands more efficiently, especially in the use of their natural productivity.