Soil Protection: A Strategic Priority of the Soil Museum
Rena Mirzezadeh1 
, Gunay Mammadova1*
Abstract. Azerbaijan’s soil resources constitute a vital part of the country’s natural capital, playing a key role in maintaining ecological balance, supporting agricultural productivity, and ensuring sustainable development. However, growing anthropogenic pressures, ongoing land degradation, and climate-related impacts have increasingly threatened soil quality and functionality. This study explores soil protection as a strategic focus within the activities of the Soil Museum operating under the Institute of Geography. Although soil conservation has been among the museum’s primary objectives since its establishment, its integration into the institutional framework of the Institute has significantly expanded its scope. Today, the museum functions not merely as a storage space for soil monoliths and scientific collections, but also as a scientific, educational, and informational center where soil is presented as an integral element of the geographical environment. The research particularly emphasizes that soil, as a fundamental component of geographical systems, is closely interconnected with climate, relief, water resources, vegetation, and human activities. This integrated geographical approach enhances the scientific value of the museum by enabling the study of soil diversity within the broader context of natural-territorial interactions that shape landscapes and ecological processes across Azerbaijan. Soil monoliths serve as effective tools for demonstrating soil diversity, environmental conditions, and degradation patterns. The results indicate that soil protection is not only a scientific concern but also a key element of environmental education, public awareness, and sustainable land use. From a geographical perspective, degradation levels vary across regions depending on relief, climate, irrigation practices, and human influence.
Keywords: soil protection, soil museum, soil monoliths, geographical ecosystems, land degradation, environmental education, Azerbaijan