Evaluating Soil Quality: A Comparative Study of Contrasting Soils Using Geospatial and Analytical Methods in Çukurova Region, Turkey

Abstract

Three different soils-Chromic Vertisol, Pantofluvic Calcaric Fluvisol and Gleyic Solonchak-were selected for investigating soil quality in the & Ccedil;ukurova region of southern Turkey. Soil samples were collected from 49 main points within a study area of 1.5 x 1.5 km and their physical, chemical and biological properties were determined. Indicators were selected based on expert opinions for the soil quality index (SQI) assessment, scored using the Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF), and weighted using the Fuzzy-Analytical Hierarchy Process (FAHP). The weighted scores were integrated into a comparative SQI. Soil physical indicators contributed 56.7% of all the indicators including aggregate stability, bulk density and available water content were found as the most significant factors. Soil chemical indicators contributed 35.6% including soil pH, phosphorus and potassium as the most important factors. The SQI for the soils were significantly different (p < 0.05). Pantofluvic Calcaric Fluvisol, Chromic Vertisol and Gleyic Solonchak SQI were 74.9, 69.5 and 67.1% respectively. Pantofluvic Calcaric Fluvisol SQI was due to reduced soil disturbances, avoidance of plant residues and stubble burning, increased soil organic matter (SOM), and more informed use of fertilizer. Chromic Vertisol, Pantofluvic Calcaric Fluvisol and Gleyic Solonchak have consistently shown reduced productivity due to intensive mechanized agriculture, necessitating the assessment of their SQI.