ALTERATION OF THE PHYSICAL-PROPERTIES OF SOILS DURING THE EVOLUTION OF HOLLOWS IN THE DNIESTER REGION

The condition of soil cover in the hollows (pody) of the Dniester regi on differ. Physical conditions play a role in the evolution of the soi l cover in hollow-prone areas where Southern Chernozems occur. Their r elief, which is the dominant factor influencing the redistribution of surface runoff, governs the nature of the soil cover. In regions where hollows adjoin steep slopes, the nonuniform distribution of soil mois ture results in a constant influx of moisture to the lower parts of th e slopes and an expansion of the slumping zone. The evolution of the s oil cover includes the occurrence of hydromorphic soil varieties and t heir conversion to Gray Solods and to the subsequent dry-valley stage. The progressive growth of the hollows breaks down and degrades the so il cover of the territory as a whole.