The Evaluation of Soil and Land Characteristics by Using Geographic Information System Analysis: Mardin Province Lands, Turkey

The purpose of the present study is to determine the soil and land characteristics and create databases by using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). For this purpose, the soil and land characteristics of Mardin Province, which is located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, which is part of so-called “Fertile Crescent” with fertile agricultural lands, were evaluated. The area that was included in the study was approximately 8633 km2, and the digital height model of the area was created by using the topography maps of Mardin Province. With the creation of these maps, the slope, aspect, elevation, relief maps, and the data created by the General Directorate of Village Services were collected and were drawn on the maps by calculating the spatial and areal rates of the area features in the GIS environment. All the maps drawn were placed on the created digital elevation map and examined and interpreted together with the topography data.. According to the data obtained as a result of the study, it was determined that 47.54% of the total area of Mardin Province has less than 6% slope values, and these areas are located mostly in the southern regions of the province. The most common soil types in Mardin province are brown forest soils with 43.65% and reddish-brown soils with 42.57%. In terms of the land usage, 38.81% of the province consists of pastures, and 25.38% consists of the shrubs. In terms of erosion, it was determined that 74.35% of the province has moderate, severe and very severe erosion risk. A total of 28.89% of the study area consists of I., II. and III. classes according to land capability. In terms of soil depth, 43.13% of the province has been found to have very shallow and shallow soil characteristics. It is determined that the lands where agricultural production is intensive in Mardin are mostly concentrated in regions with low altitude and slope values. It has been determined that the water problem in the region creates limitations in the product variety and erosion is among the most serious problems of the region. Elimination of these problems will contribute positively to the agricultural production of the region.