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Determination of soil quality index in areas with high erosion risk and usability in watershed rehabilitation applications

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Abstract

Erosion is an important environmental issue threatening natural resources and ecosystems, especially soil and water. Soil losses occur in many parts of the world due to erosion at different degrees, and various rehabilitation plans have been carried out to reduce these losses. However, soil protection applications are generally carried out by considering only the essential characteristics of the soil. This may decrease the chance of success of rehabilitation applications. The present study aimed to determine the soil quality index (SQI) by weighting the soil quality parameters according to the analytical hierarchy process (AHP) in the Çapakçur microcatchment (Bingöl, Türkiye) where soil loss is high. Accordingly, 428 soil samples were taken from the study area and analyzed. The soil losses in the Çapakçur watershed were calculated employing the revised universal soil loss equation (RUSLE). To determine the soil quality index, a total of 20 indicators were used, including (i) physical soil properties, (ii) chemical soil properties, and (iii) soil nutrient content. Soil quality index results are divided into classes between 1 and 5. As a result of the study, the annual total amount of soil lost from the microcatchment was calculated as 96,915.20 tons, and the yearly average amount of soil lost from the unit area was calculated as 10.14 tons ha−1. According to SQI, the largest area in the microcatchment was Class-2 (weak), with 39.49%, whereas the smallest area was 1.4% (the most suitable). However, it was determined that there was a significant negative relationship between SQI and soil erodibility. Considering the SQI distribution of the area in the planning of soil protection and erosion prevention practices in watershed rehabilitation studies may increase success.

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On reasonable request, the corresponding author will provide the datasets used and/or analyzed during the current work.

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Funding

The study was supported by the Bingöl University Scientific Research Project Unit (BÜBAP). project no: “Pikom. Bitki.2018.001,” project title: “ Determination of Basic Characteristics and Productivity Potential of Soils Develo** Under Different Land Use in Çapakçur Basin(Bingöl), Feeding Status of Some Pollen Plants and Water Quality of Çapakçur Stream.”

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  1. Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Bingöl University, Bingöl, Turkey

    Yasin Demir & Alaaddin Yüksel

  2. Department of Biosystem Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture, Bingöl University, Bingöl, Turkey

    Azize Doğan Demir

  3. Department of Landscape Architecture, Bingöl University, Bingöl, Turkey

    Alperen Meral

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  1. Yasin Demir
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Yasin Demir and Azize Dogan Demir designed the work. Soil sampling and laboratory analyses were carried out by Yasin Demir, Azize Doğan Demir, and Alperen Meral. Alaaddin Yüksel and Alperen Meral mapped the analysis results. Yasin Demir and Azize Doğan Demir did the statistical analysis and calculations. All authors contributed equally to the evaluation of the results.

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Demir, Y., Demir, A.D., Meral, A. et al. Determination of soil quality index in areas with high erosion risk and usability in watershed rehabilitation applications. Environ Monit Assess 195, 572 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-023-11181-1

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