Soil quality as related to sampling depth on semiarid and semihumid pastures

Ülkü Yılmaz; Meriç Çakır; Sabit Erşahin

doi:10.18393/ejss.1833464

Soil quality as related to sampling depth on semiarid and semihumid pastures

Abstract

Soils in pastures vary significantly with depth due to the stronger interaction between soil and plants in the topsoil. However, research on soil resources in pastures has not yet reached a consensus on the appropriate soil depth to consider when evaluating soil quality (SQ). This study aimed to assess how SQ changes with soil depth in two distinct pasture systems. A semiarid site (Kurşunlu) and a semihumid site (Ilgaz) were selected, and representative sampling areas were designated in each. At both sites, soils at 0-10 and 10-20 cm depths were intensively sampled. The soil quality index (SQI) was calculated for 0-10, 10-20, and 0-20 cm (combining 0-10 and 10-20 cm) soil depths. The means of SQI related to depth and site were compared using one-way ANOVA. The SQI values ranged from 0.211 (± 0.002, 0-10 cm) to 0.556 (± 0.004, 10-20 cm) at Kurşunlu and from 0.230 (± 0.003, 0-10 cm) to 0.601 (± 0. 003, 10-20 cm) at Ilgaz. On both sites, the depth-related SQI means were significantly different, and in all cases, SQI was significantly higher at Ilgaz. The 0-10 cm soil depth proved more suitable than 10-20 or 0-20 cm depths for monitoring SQ. Results suggested that soil pH and bulk density were identified as potential early-warning indicators for soil degradation in the study pastures.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Çankırı Karatekin University

Thanks

This study is based on the data collected during the doctoral thesis project (Grant number: OF270516D03), which was supported by the Scientific Research Projects Coordination Unit (BAP) of Çankırı Karatekin University between 2016 and 2018. Additional analyses beyond the scope of the original thesis were performed by the author to prepare this article. The author gratefully acknowledges the financial support provided by the BAP Unit of Çankırı Karatekin University. The authors thank Seval Sünal Kavaklıgil for her help with the field work and laboratory analyses and Bayram C Bilgili for his help with Figure 1.

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Ülkü Yılmaz ^*
0000-0001-5031-0523
Türkiye

Meriç Çakır
0000-0001-8402-5114
Türkiye

Sabit Erşahin
0000-0003-2463-7893
Türkiye

Publication Date

January 2, 2026

Submission Date

July 6, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 25, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1833464

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA39WJ75RU

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Yılmaz, Ü., Çakır, M., & Erşahin, S. (2026). Soil quality as related to sampling depth on semiarid and semihumid pastures. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, 15(1), 56-73. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1833464

AMA

1.Yılmaz Ü, Çakır M, Erşahin S. Soil quality as related to sampling depth on semiarid and semihumid pastures. EJSS. 2026;15(1):56-73. doi:10.18393/ejss.1833464

Chicago

Yılmaz, Ülkü, Meriç Çakır, and Sabit Erşahin. 2026. “Soil Quality As Related to Sampling Depth on Semiarid and Semihumid Pastures”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 (1): 56-73. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1833464.

EndNote

Yılmaz Ü, Çakır M, Erşahin S (January 1, 2026) Soil quality as related to sampling depth on semiarid and semihumid pastures. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 1 56–73.

IEEE

[1]Ü. Yılmaz, M. Çakır, and S. Erşahin, “Soil quality as related to sampling depth on semiarid and semihumid pastures”, EJSS, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 56–73, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.18393/ejss.1833464.

ISNAD

Yılmaz, Ülkü - Çakır, Meriç - Erşahin, Sabit. “Soil Quality As Related to Sampling Depth on Semiarid and Semihumid Pastures”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15/1 (January 1, 2026): 56-73. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1833464.

JAMA

1.Yılmaz Ü, Çakır M, Erşahin S. Soil quality as related to sampling depth on semiarid and semihumid pastures. EJSS. 2026;15:56–73.

MLA

Yılmaz, Ülkü, et al. “Soil Quality As Related to Sampling Depth on Semiarid and Semihumid Pastures”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 15, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 56-73, doi:10.18393/ejss.1833464.

Vancouver

1.Ülkü Yılmaz, Meriç Çakır, Sabit Erşahin. Soil quality as related to sampling depth on semiarid and semihumid pastures. EJSS. 2026 Jan. 1;15(1):56-73. doi:10.18393/ejss.1833464