(1) Includes scientists and experts working in the field of soil science and soil erosion and laboratories "Physical properties of soil" and "Microbiology of soil";
(2) Works in the field of:
- physical and biological indicators of soil functions in relation to soil fertility, regulation of water cycle, water filtration and habitat of soil organisms. Assessment of the risk of erosion, reduction of soil biodiversity, soil compaction, drought and overwetting;
- impact of climate change and land use on soil biota, soil structure and erosion processes at different spatial scales;
- soil biodiversity and application of bioinoculants to improve soil fertility;
- impact of water erosion and anti-erosion tillage systems on soil organic matter loss, greenhouse gas emissions and soil biological activity;
- water and thermal properties of the soil. Measurement and evaluation of components of the water and heat balance of the soil - plant - atmosphere system. Development of databases for simulation models;
- calibration, validation and use of simulation models for assessment of factors and risk of soil erosion, drought and wetting in different soil-climatic and agro-technological conditions and preparation of thematic maps;
- physical and biological methods and anti-erosion practices to improve the condition and functions of the soil. Environmental and economic assessment;
- assessment and large-scale mapping of lands by classes of suitability for effective economic and anti-erosion use by administrative units and watersheds;
- determination of the agro-technical and soil protection efficiency of different systems for tillage and application of the soil protection methods, carried out independently and jointly when growing different crops on sloping terrains;
- Improving and maintaining the geographical database for erosion forecasting and optimization of soil water regime and soil protection practices.