Relationships between Land Use Types and Soil Development in the Narman-Alabalık Micro-catchment

The need for determining the effects of land use types and changes on soil quality is essential because of the increasing pressure on natural resources. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of land use changes on soil development in the Narman-Alabalik micro-catchment. Soil formation and erosion conditions of soils developed on different physiographic land groups (terraces, foot-slopes and back-slopes) in forestland, pastureland and cultivated land were evaluated. Top soil (Ap and A) development and thickness, horizons and layers, and other profile characteristics were obtained in situ. Physical and chemical properties of soil samples collected from different horizons and layers wereanalyzed for comparing and evaluating soils under different land use types. Due to the improper management of agricultural lands without considering topography and soil characteristics, early and overgrazing of pasturelands and misuse of forestlands have led to deterioration of soil properties and weakening of pasture vegetation and forests. Erosion caused by the deterioration of forest vegetation and pasturelands lead severe sediment accumulation in terraces. Land use methods and measures for land degradation and erosion prevention have been proposed by evaluating the socioeconomic structure of the micro catchment.