Assessing Soil Degradation: A Comprehensive Study Using Soil Degradation Index (SDI) in Godrahav Watershed

Soil degradation is an important problem for watersheds that contain agricultural and natural areas within their border. This study was conducted to assess soil degradation using soil degradation index (SDI). The watershed was divided into transects at 500m intervals in the north-south and the east-...

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Main Authors: Bülent Turgut, Sümeyye Güler
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Atatürk University 2025-05-01
Series:Research in Agricultural Sciences
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Online Access:https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/4735051
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author Bülent Turgut
Sümeyye Güler
author_facet Bülent Turgut
Sümeyye Güler
author_sort Bülent Turgut
collection DOAJ
description Soil degradation is an important problem for watersheds that contain agricultural and natural areas within their border. This study was conducted to assess soil degradation using soil degradation index (SDI). The watershed was divided into transects at 500m intervals in the north-south and the east-west directions. Except for the hard-to-reach points because of topography, disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were taken from 138 sample points at the intersections of the transects. The SDI was calculated using the measured soil parameters including particle size distribution, aggregate stability, aggregation rate, mean weight diameter, dispersion rate, bulk density, porosity, field capacity, wilting point, organic matter content, pH and electrical conductivity. The spatial distribution patterns of these parameters were defined using geostatistical analyses. Slope, elevation, aspect and land use type of the watershed were also mapped using the Geographic Information System (GIS) technique. The results of the study showed that soil degradation can be quantified using an index value, and that basic soil properties can serve as parameters for this index. These parameters affect index values with different weighting, and these weighting values can be calculated by correlation analysis. Moreover, according to the distribution maps, SDI showed spatial variability due to the land use, altitude, and aspect, but it did not vary regularly due to the slope. Based on the findings, it is recommended to implement land use-specific soil management strategies across the watershed. Regular SDI-based monitoring and geospatial analysis can support early detection of degradation and guide sustainable land use planning.
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publisher Atatürk University
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spelling doaj-art-d38e5d38a2fb415bb30437eec31711862025-08-20T03:13:00ZengAtatürk UniversityResearch in Agricultural Sciences2979-96862025-05-0156214115410.17097/agricultureatauni.166768055Assessing Soil Degradation: A Comprehensive Study Using Soil Degradation Index (SDI) in Godrahav WatershedBülent Turgut0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7443-1100Sümeyye Güler1https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0606-1085KARADENİZ TEKNİK ÜNİVERSİTESİ, ORMAN FAKÜLTESİKASTAMONU ÜNİVERSİTESİSoil degradation is an important problem for watersheds that contain agricultural and natural areas within their border. This study was conducted to assess soil degradation using soil degradation index (SDI). The watershed was divided into transects at 500m intervals in the north-south and the east-west directions. Except for the hard-to-reach points because of topography, disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were taken from 138 sample points at the intersections of the transects. The SDI was calculated using the measured soil parameters including particle size distribution, aggregate stability, aggregation rate, mean weight diameter, dispersion rate, bulk density, porosity, field capacity, wilting point, organic matter content, pH and electrical conductivity. The spatial distribution patterns of these parameters were defined using geostatistical analyses. Slope, elevation, aspect and land use type of the watershed were also mapped using the Geographic Information System (GIS) technique. The results of the study showed that soil degradation can be quantified using an index value, and that basic soil properties can serve as parameters for this index. These parameters affect index values with different weighting, and these weighting values can be calculated by correlation analysis. Moreover, according to the distribution maps, SDI showed spatial variability due to the land use, altitude, and aspect, but it did not vary regularly due to the slope. Based on the findings, it is recommended to implement land use-specific soil management strategies across the watershed. Regular SDI-based monitoring and geospatial analysis can support early detection of degradation and guide sustainable land use planning.https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/4735051correlationphysiographic factorssoil degradationsoil mappingspatial variabilitykorelasyonfizyografik faktörlertoprak bozulmasıharitalamamekânsal değişkenlik
spellingShingle Bülent Turgut
Sümeyye Güler
Assessing Soil Degradation: A Comprehensive Study Using Soil Degradation Index (SDI) in Godrahav Watershed
Research in Agricultural Sciences
correlation
physiographic factors
soil degradation
soil mapping
spatial variability
korelasyon
fizyografik faktörler
toprak bozulması
haritalama
mekânsal değişkenlik
title Assessing Soil Degradation: A Comprehensive Study Using Soil Degradation Index (SDI) in Godrahav Watershed
title_full Assessing Soil Degradation: A Comprehensive Study Using Soil Degradation Index (SDI) in Godrahav Watershed
title_fullStr Assessing Soil Degradation: A Comprehensive Study Using Soil Degradation Index (SDI) in Godrahav Watershed
title_full_unstemmed Assessing Soil Degradation: A Comprehensive Study Using Soil Degradation Index (SDI) in Godrahav Watershed
title_short Assessing Soil Degradation: A Comprehensive Study Using Soil Degradation Index (SDI) in Godrahav Watershed
title_sort assessing soil degradation a comprehensive study using soil degradation index sdi in godrahav watershed
topic correlation
physiographic factors
soil degradation
soil mapping
spatial variability
korelasyon
fizyografik faktörler
toprak bozulması
haritalama
mekânsal değişkenlik
url https://dergipark.org.tr/tr/download/article-file/4735051
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AT sumeyyeguler assessingsoildegradationacomprehensivestudyusingsoildegradationindexsdiingodrahavwatershed