39. Processes of soil degradation in Bulgaria

An increased tendency of unfavourable influence on the soils in the country has occurred, causing their degradation. The degradation is defined as the damage or destruction, which adversely affects one or more functions of the soil. Eight threats causing soil degradation are identified: erosion, acidification, salinisation, densification, reduction of the soil organic matter, contamination, sealing and development of landslides. Seven functions are defined, which include the following: production of biomass, filtering and transformation, habitat and gene pool, physical environment, a source of raw materials, carbon pool and archiver of historical and geological heritage.