A New Approach to the Land Capability Classification: Case Study of Turkey

Abstract

Land capability classification is one of the very important issues in terms of sustainable land use. Many land capability classifications have been prepared and applied especially in the developed countries such as USA, UK and France. Most of the land capability classification systems and mapping are an adaptation of the US Department of Agriculture method. Up to now the criteria that are taken into consideration in the land capability classification are topography especially inclination of slope and soil properties, in general. In a mountainous country or regions topographic-geomorphic unites, climate and parent material are factors that must be taken into consideration in order to establish land capability classification. All these criteria are used in this study. The aim of this study is to reestablish a land classification according to the geomorphic units, climate and parent material factors in Turkey. According to these criteria, seven land capability classes were determined. Moreover, the subclass are identified according the parent material properties that mostly outcropped on the mountainous areas.