A Study of Soil and Land Features with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Analysis: Iğdır, Türkiye

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the soil and land characteristics of the province of Iğdır in Türkiye and to create a database by using geographical data system analysis, which is widely used today. The study area was 3674.42 km2 and the digital elevation model of the area was created using a 1/25000 scale topographic map from the General Command of Mapping in Iğdır province, and elevation, slope, aspect, and drainage maps were produced. Additionally, by using data and maps from the previous General Directorate of Rural Services and General Directorate of Soil Reform, large soil groups, depth, land use capability classification, problematic soils, water erosion, and wind erosion maps were created, and area calculations were made with ArcGIS Pro 2.5 software. As a result, flat and near flatlands were located in the center, east, and north and mountainous lands with high altitudes were located in the west and south of Iğdır province. Therefore, slopes were steep in the south and west, and low in the central, east, and north parts. The land use capability map consisted of 122040 ha suitable for cultivated agriculture (I-IV class); 211220 ha unsuitable for cultivated agriculture (V-VII class) as grassland; and 29260 ha of non-agricultural land. Land with moderate, severe, and very severe erosion comprised 16.3%, 27.3%, and 25.8%, respectively, of water erosion. Wind erosion affected 36670 ha of land. Iğdır has large diversity and variety in terms of soil and land features, despite its small area.