Determining and GIS Mapping Some Soil and Land Properties in Nigde Province of Turkey

Abstract

This study was carried out within the scope of spatial evaluation of majör soil groups, land slope, erosion degrees, soil depth classes, and other soil properties by using 1/25.000 scaled digital soil maps in Niğde province. Arc GIS 10.3.1 software, which is one of the Geography Information Systems (GIS) software, was used for spatial analysis. Classification results were evaluated according to the "Soil and Land Classification Standards Technical Instruction" published by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2005. As a result of the research, it was seen that the class covering the largest area in terms of major soil groups was brown soils with 224466.1 ha. Red-brown soils cover the least area with 45.4 ha. Areas with a steep slope with a 5% slope on the land slope cover the largest area of 140325.7 ha. Areas with a very steep slope of 6%, on the other hand, cover the least area with 69064 ha. Areas with C class (50-90 cm) soil depth in the study area cover the largest area with 294054.7 ha. The areas with E class (0-20 cm) soil depth were seen in the least area with 22203.5 ha. In terms of soil erosion classes, the most common erosion class is III. These are areas with a degree of erosion risk and their total area is 269374.8 ha. It has been determined that areas with slightly salty, alkaline, weak, and adequate drainage are seen in an area of 234.1 ha in the research area. Areas with insufficient drainage have an area of 7350.9 ha. In this study, spatial analysis of some land and soil properties in Niğde province was carried out and distribution maps were produced. It is thought that the results of the research will make significant contributions to the agricultural investments operating in the region.