Assessment of soil quality of the southwestern region of Ezine district, (Çanakkale, NW-Türkiye)

Öz

This study was conducted to determine the soil quality of the soils located in the SW part of Ezine District in Çanakkale, NW Türkiye, on a total area of 15,345 ha. In the assessment of soil quality, ten different parameters were evaluated. Soil depth, slope, texture, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), calcium carbonate (CaCO₃%), organic matter, nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) parameters were considered. To determine the weights of characteristics, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), a multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) method, was employed. Based on the calculations and evaluations, it was determined that 23.01% of the soils in the SW part of the Ezine district have very high quality, 69.26% have high quality, 5.82% have moderate quality, 1.93% have low soil quality. The soil quality map produced with this study reveals that the very high and high-quality soils should be managed carefully to ensure agricultural sustainability, and that these favorable conditions should be preserved over time. In areas classified as moderate and low soil quality, appropriate conservation measures should be implemented to prevent further degradation and enhance soil conditions. Furthermore, it is recommended that the model proposed in this study be applied to other regions with similar climatic conditions.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Soil quality
• GIS
• Multi-criteria decision-making
• Sustainable agriculture

Kaynakça

1. Alaboz, P., Odabas, M. S., & Dengiz, O. (2023). Soil quality assessment based on machine learning approach for cultivated lands in semi-humid environmental condition part of Black Sea region. Archives of Agronomy and Soil Science, 69(15), 3514–3532. https://doi.org/10.1080/03650340.2023.2248002
2. Alebachew, E. D., & Dengiz, O. (2025). Multi Criteria Decision Analysis and Artificial Neural Network for assessing soil quality variation under different land use and land cover in Samsun, Türkiye. Environmental and Sustainability Indicators, 100737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.indic.2025.100737
3. Anusha, B. N., Babu, K. R., Kumar, B. P., Sree, P. P., Veeraswamy, G., Swarnapriya, C., & Rajasekhar, M. (2023). Integrated studies for land suitability analysis towards sustainable agricultural development in semi-arid regions of AP, India. Geosystems and Geoenvironment, 2(2), 100131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geogeo.2022.100131
4. Bayrakli, B., Dengiz, O., & Kars, N. (2023). Soil quality assessment based on MCDA–GIS hybrid approach for sustainable hazelnut farming under humid ecosystem environment. Rendiconti Lincei. Scienze Fisiche e Naturali, 34(3), 921–940. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12210-023-01179-9
5. Bremner, J. M., & Mulvaney, C. S. (1982). Nitrogen-total. In A. L. Page, R. H. Miller, & D. R. Keeney (Eds.), Methods of soil analysis: Part II. Chemical and microbiological properties (pp. 539–579). ASA, SSSA.
6. Celestina, C., Hunt, J. R., Sale, P. W., & Franks, A. E. (2019). Attribution of crop yield responses to application of organic amendments: A critical review. Soil and Tillage Research, 186, 135–145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2018.10.002
7. Choudhary, K., Boori, M. S., Shi, W., Valiev, A., & Kupriyanov, A. (2023). Agricultural land suitability assessment for sustainable development using remote sensing techniques with analytic hierarchy process. Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment, 32, 101051. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsase.2023.101051
8. Çakır, M., & Dengiz, O. (2021). Doğrusal kombinasyon tekniği kullanılarak arazi değerlendirme çalışması; Çarşamba Sefalı Köyü örneği. Toprak Bilimi ve Bitki Besleme Dergisi, 9(1), 43–56. https://doi.org/10.33409/tbbbd.899746

9. Everest, T., Sungur, A., & Özcan, H. (2021). Determination of agricultural land suitability with a multiple-criteria decision-making method in Northwestern Turkey. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 18(5), 1073–1088. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-020-02869-9
10. Everest, T., Koparan, H., Sungur, A., & Özcan, H. (2022). An important tool against combat climate change: Land suitability assessment for canola (a case study: Çanakkale, NW Turkey). Environment, Development and Sustainability, 24(11), 13137–13172. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01985-x
11. Everest, T., Sungur, A., & Özcan, H. (2025). Karamenderes Havzası Mansabının Batı Bölümü arazilerinin kalite durumlarının arazi kalite indeks (AKİ) yaklaşımı ile belirlenmesi. Türkiye Tarımsal Araştırmalar Dergisi, 12(2), 144–154.
12. Garrigues, E., Corson, M. S., Angers, D. A., van der Werf, H. M., & Walter, C. (2012). Soil quality in life cycle assessment: Towards development of an indicator. Ecological Indicators, 18, 434–442. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2011.12.014
13. Gee, G. W., & Or, D. (2002). Particle-size analysis. In J. H. Dane & G. C. Topp (Eds.), Methods of soil analysis. Part IV: Physical methods (pp. 255–293). SSSA Book Ser. 5. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser5.4.c12
14. Greweling, T., & Peech, M. (1960). Chemical soil tests (Bulletin No. 960). Cornell University Agricultural Experiment Station.
15. Hermans, T. D., Dougill, A. J., Whitfield, S., Peacock, C. L., Eze, S., & Thierfelder, C. (2021). Combining local knowledge and soil science for integrated soil health assessments in conservation agriculture systems. Journal of Environmental Management, 286, 112192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112192
16. Ilgar, A., Demirci, S.E, Dönmez, M., Akçay, E.A., Duru, M., & Pehlivan, Ş. (2008). 1:100.000 ölçekli Türkiye Jeoloji Haritaları, Ayvalık – İ16 ve J16 Paftaları, No:99, MTA Genel Müdürlüğü, Ankara.
17. Karaca, S., Dengiz, O., Turan, İ. D., Özkan, B., Dedeoğlu, M., Gülser, F., & Ay, A. (2021). An assessment of pasture soils quality based on multi-indicator weighting approaches in semi-arid ecosystem. Ecological Indicators, 121, 107001. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2020.107001
18. Karlen, D. L., Mausbach, M. J., Doran, J. W., Cline, R. G., Harris, R. F., & Schuman, G. E. (1997). Soil quality: A concept, definition, and framework for evaluation (a guest editorial). Soil Science Society of America Journal, 61(1), 4–10. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssaj1997.03615995006100010001x
19. Karlen, D. L., Ditzler, C. A., & Andrews, S. S. (2003). Soil quality: Why and how? Geoderma, 114(3–4), 145–156.
20. KHGM (1999) T. C. Prime Ministry Services of the General Directorate of Village Services, provincial report (Çanakkale) no: 17, Ankara
21. Koca, Y. K., Acar, M., & Turgut, Y. Ş. (2019). Tarım topraklarının jeoistatistiksel modelleme ile kalitesinin değerlendirilmesi. Harran Tarım ve Gıda Bilimleri Dergisi, 23(4), 489-499. https://doi.org/10.29050/harranziraat.556103
22. Knudsen, D., Peterson, G. A., & Pratt, P. F. (1982). Lithium, sodium, and potassium. In A. L. Page, R. H. Miller, & D. R. Keeney (Eds.), Methods of soil analysis. Part II: Chemical and microbiological properties (pp. 225–245). SSSA.
23. Lal, R. (2017). Soil conservation. Reference Module in Life Sciences, Elsevier. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-809633-8.02047-1
24. MGM. (2025). İllere ait genel istatistik veriler. Meteoroloji Genel Müdürlüğü. https://www.mgm.gov.tr (Access date: 20.09.2025).
25. Nelson, R. E. (1982). Carbonate and gypsum. In A. L. Page, R. H. Miller, & D. R. Keeney (Eds.), Methods of soil analysis. Part II: Chemical and microbiological properties (pp. 181–197). ASA, SSSA.
26. Nelson, R. E., & Sommers, L. E. (1982). Total carbon, organic carbon and organic matter. In A. L. Page, R. H. Miller, & D. R. Keeney (Eds.), Methods of soil analysis. Part II: Chemical and microbiological properties (pp. 539–579). SSSA. https://doi.org/10.2136/sssabookser5.3.c34
27. Olsen, S. R., & Sommers, L. E. (1982). Phosphorus. In A. L. Page, R. H. Miller, & D. R. Keeney (Eds.), Methods of soil analysis. Part II: Chemical and microbiological properties (pp. 403–427). SSSA.
28. Pacci, S., & Dengiz, O. (2023). Ayçiçeği tarımı yapılan toprakların SMAF modeli ile toprak kalite indislerinin belirlenmesi: Tokat Zile İlçesi örneği. Toprak Bilimi ve Bitki Besleme Dergisi, 11(1), 54–66. https://doi.org/10.33409/tbbbd.1309885
29. Rhoades, J. D. (1982). Soluble salts. In A. L. Page, R. H. Miller, & D. R. Keeney (Eds.), Methods of soil analysis. Part II: Chemical and microbiological properties (pp. 167–179). ASA, SSSA.
30. Saaty, T. L. (1980). The analytical hierarchy process. McGraw Hill.
31. Sauer, T., Havlík, P., Schneider, U. A., Schmid, E., Kindermann, G., & Obersteiner, M. (2010). Agriculture and resource availability in a changing world: The role of irrigation. Water Resources Research, 46(6), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1029/2009WR007729
32. Sengupta, S., Mohinuddin, S., Arif, M., Sengupta, B., & Zhang, W. (2022). Assessment of agricultural land suitability using GIS and fuzzy analytical hierarchy process approach in Ranchi District, India. Geocarto International, 37(26), 13337–13368. https://doi.org/10.1080/10106049.2022.2076925
33. Singer, M. J., & Ewing, S. (2000). Handbook of soil science. In M. E. Sumner (Ed.). CRC Press.
34. Şeker, C., Özaytekin, H. H., Negiş, H., Gümüş, İ., Dedeoğlu, M., Atmaca, E., & Karaca, Ü. (2017). Identification of regional soil quality factors and indicators: A case study on an alluvial plain (Central Turkey). Solid Earth, 8(3), 583–595. https://doi.org/10.5194/se-8-583-2017
35. Şenol, H., Alaboz, P., Demir, S., & Dengiz, O. (2020). Computational intelligence applied to soil quality index using GIS and geostatistical approaches in semiarid ecosystem. Arabian Journal of Geosciences, 13(23), 1235. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-020-06214-9
36. Wang, X., & Gong, Z. (1998). Assessment and analysis of soil quality changes after eleven years of reclamation in subtropical China. Geoderma, 81(3–4), 339–355. https://doi.org/10.3390/f13091513