CHANGE OF ECOLOGIC FARM AREAS AND CULTIVATED CULTURES WITHIN THE TERRITORY OF LITHUANIA IN 2010–2014

Abstract

Research objective is to evaluate the change of ecological farm areas and cultivated cultures within the territory of Lithuania within the period from 2010 to 2014. In 2010–2014 the data from certification institutions (databases) were used for the purpose of evaluation of change of ecological farm areas, which provide all ecological farm areas declared and certified in Lithuania within the whole reported period and agricultural plants cultivated on the areas within the set period. ArcGIS software was used for demonstration of layout of ecological farm areas within the territory of Lithuania. It was established that the major areas of ecological farms analysed within the period were located in the North-East of Lithuania, less areas in the Northern and Southern parts of middle Lithuania. During the whole period the major planted acreage of the ecological farms was taken by meadows, pastures, perennial grass; these cultures annually made almost a half of the declared planted acreage. Less declared planted acreage of the ecological farms within the research period was taken by root plants and vegetables; area planted with the cultures usually made 1 per cent from all declared planted acreage of the ecological farms. Strong correlation exists between the areas of ecological farms and pastures (r = 0.70, when p = 0.0001), complex agriculture (r = 0.76, when p = 0.0001), transition forest stage and bushes (r = 0.85, when p = 0,0001), broad-leaved forests (r = 0.84, when p = 0.0001), needle-leaved forests (r = 0.72, when p = 0.0001) and mixed forests (r = 0.84, when p = 0.0001). Weak correlation exists between ecological farm area and agricultural areas with natural plant insertions (r = 0.47, when p = 0.0001).

Keywords: agricultural plants, acreage, ecological farm.

Article DOI: http://doi.org/10.15544/RD.2015.075