Changes in the structure of agricultural land capability classes in Poland in the years 1975-2000

Abstract

Under the Decree of 2 February 1955 on land and building registration system (Journal of Laws No 6, item 32) the Council of Ministers issued the Ordinance of 4 June 1956 on land typology (Journal of Laws No 19, item 97), specifying as follows: lands to be subject to typology using soil capability classes include farm and forested land as well as land under water catchment systems and the typology is to be done in an uniform manner for the whole country, based on the principles laid down by the Ordinance, and using the Table of soil capability classes given in the attachment to this Ordinance. The article presents a synthesis of the area (hectares) and percent contributions of soil capability classes in Poland, by land use types and voievodeships, including: arable lands, fruit orchards, durable meadows and pastures in the years: 1975, 1990 and 2000, developed on the basis of detailed data provided by the Head Office of Geodesy and Cartography.