Effects of toposequences on soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities in semi-arid landscapes

Elmira Yeleuova; Ashirali Smanov; Bakhytkul Kenzhaliyeva; Liza Zhussupova; Ainur Demesinova; Zhanat Amirzhanova; Tayfun Aşkın; Rahila İslamzade; Rıdvan Kızılkaya

doi:10.18393/ejss.1821553

Effects of toposequences on soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities in semi-arid landscapes

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of landscape position and parent material on soil physicochemical properties and biological functioning along the Çankırı–Acıçay River toposequence. Our objectives were to (i) characterize six representative soil profiles, (ii) quantify the range and spatial variation of key hydrolytic enzyme activities (urease, phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and β-glucosidase), and (iii) evaluate the relationships between soil properties and enzymatic activity. The transect encompasses distinct lithologies: right-bank soils developed on Quaternary alluvial deposits (terraces/floodplains), while left-bank soils evolved from a complex mix including Oligo-Miocene gypsum and rock-salt strata (steep slopes). These differences resulted in classifications as Entisols, Inceptisols, and Mollisols, and distinct variations in particle-size distribution and organic matter (OM) accumulation across the profiles. Results showed that topography-driven erosion and deposition strongly controlled soil OM dynamics, which was the primary regulator of enzymatic activity. OM correlated with all enzymes, r = 0.81** to 0.89**. The old river terrace soils (depositional areas) exhibited the highest enzyme activities due to greater OM and finer texture, confirming their function as biological "hotspots". Conversely, upper-slope and gypsiferous soils displayed minimal enzymatic potential. In conclusion, variations in landscape position and parent material fundamentally alter both soil development and enzyme-mediated nutrient cycling within the semi-arid landscape of the Çankırı–Acıçay River basin.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Soil Sciences and Plant Nutrition (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Elmira Yeleuova This is me
0000-0002-6488-2714
Kazakhstan

Ashirali Smanov ^* This is me
0000-0001-7468-575X
Kazakhstan

Bakhytkul Kenzhaliyeva This is me
0000-0002-1815-9461
Kazakhstan

Liza Zhussupova This is me
0000-0002-6379-3488
Kazakhstan

Ainur Demesinova This is me
0000-0001-5399-0421
Kazakhstan

Zhanat Amirzhanova This is me
0000-0001-5686-6821
Kazakhstan

Tayfun Aşkın
0000-0001-9352-2710
Türkiye

Rahila İslamzade This is me
Azerbaijan

Rıdvan Kızılkaya
0000-0001-7475-9851
Türkiye

Publication Date

January 2, 2026

Submission Date

May 12, 2025

Acceptance Date

November 3, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 15 Number: 1

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1821553

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA27TJ28ZH

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Yeleuova, E., Smanov, A., Kenzhaliyeva, B., Zhussupova, L., Demesinova, A., Amirzhanova, Z., Aşkın, T., İslamzade, R., & Kızılkaya, R. (2026). Effects of toposequences on soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities in semi-arid landscapes. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, 15(1), 45-55. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1821553

AMA

1.Yeleuova E, Smanov A, Kenzhaliyeva B, et al. Effects of toposequences on soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities in semi-arid landscapes. EJSS. 2026;15(1):45-55. doi:10.18393/ejss.1821553

Chicago

Yeleuova, Elmira, Ashirali Smanov, Bakhytkul Kenzhaliyeva, et al. 2026. “Effects of Toposequences on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Enzyme Activities in Semi-Arid Landscapes”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 (1): 45-55. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1821553.

EndNote

Yeleuova E, Smanov A, Kenzhaliyeva B, Zhussupova L, Demesinova A, Amirzhanova Z, Aşkın T, İslamzade R, Kızılkaya R (January 1, 2026) Effects of toposequences on soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities in semi-arid landscapes. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15 1 45–55.

IEEE

[1]E. Yeleuova et al., “Effects of toposequences on soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities in semi-arid landscapes”, EJSS, vol. 15, no. 1, pp. 45–55, Jan. 2026, doi: 10.18393/ejss.1821553.

ISNAD

Yeleuova, Elmira - Smanov, Ashirali - Kenzhaliyeva, Bakhytkul - Zhussupova, Liza - Demesinova, Ainur - Amirzhanova, Zhanat - Aşkın, Tayfun - İslamzade, Rahila - Kızılkaya, Rıdvan. “Effects of Toposequences on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Enzyme Activities in Semi-Arid Landscapes”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science 15/1 (January 1, 2026): 45-55. https://doi.org/10.18393/ejss.1821553.

JAMA

1.Yeleuova E, Smanov A, Kenzhaliyeva B, Zhussupova L, Demesinova A, Amirzhanova Z, Aşkın T, İslamzade R, Kızılkaya R. Effects of toposequences on soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities in semi-arid landscapes. EJSS. 2026;15:45–55.

MLA

Yeleuova, Elmira, et al. “Effects of Toposequences on Soil Physicochemical Properties and Enzyme Activities in Semi-Arid Landscapes”. Eurasian Journal of Soil Science, vol. 15, no. 1, Jan. 2026, pp. 45-55, doi:10.18393/ejss.1821553.

Vancouver

1.Elmira Yeleuova, Ashirali Smanov, Bakhytkul Kenzhaliyeva, Liza Zhussupova, Ainur Demesinova, Zhanat Amirzhanova, Tayfun Aşkın, Rahila İslamzade, Rıdvan Kızılkaya. Effects of toposequences on soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities in semi-arid landscapes. EJSS. 2026 Jan. 1;15(1):45-5. doi:10.18393/ejss.1821553