There are 745 classified soil types in the Republic of Moldova.  The diversity found in the country in terms of geomorphology (i.e. relief), climate, vegetation, fauna, and geological formation has determined the diversity of soils.  The very rich soils are a precious natural resource (see Figure 9.1).

Most of the soils are being used as arable land - even those that are naturally not very suitable for agriculture, like alkaline soils originating from saline Neocene clays.  Also, about two thirds of alluvial meadow soils, mainly along the Dniester and Prut rivers, and in the basins of their tributaries, were improved for agricultural purposes by drainage systems.  In the past 15 years the salt level in these soils has increased.  As a result, 70% of them have become unsuitable for normal agricultural use.  Grey soils are the most vulnerable as a natural resource, because of their low humus content, and among the chernozem types, calcareous and common chernozems have often been damaged.  For instance, as even slopes have been put under cultivation, their topsoil is vulnerable to heavy rainfalls, which wash them off, diminishing their humus content.

Another example is in the south of the country, where a recent eco-pedological report shows that compacting of eroded podsolic chernozem has significantly increased in upper soil layers (porosity of the soil is decreasing).  This is the effect of heavy machinery still used for field work.  Its pressure exceeds 3-5 kg/cm2 (the normal acceptable pressure for most soils is 0.4-0.5 kg/cm2).  As a result, over-compaction is noticeable on 60-65% of arable fields before harvest, and on 98% after harvest.
Compaction is recorded down to a depth of 40-50 cm.

In addition to erosion and degradation, urban encroachment is responsible for an annual loss of 1 500-2 000 ha.  During the last three decades, 205 000 ha of fertile land have been built up for infrastructure, industry and uncontrolled urbanization.  The amount of fertile land per capita decreased from 0.53 to 0.39 ha.  During the same period, intensive agriculture on 133 000 ha of land resulted in a continuous reduction of soil fertility, often adding to soil degradation problems.