Changes on soil properties associated with soil depth in eroded areas: a case study of Pamukcular watershed

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate changes on soil properties associated with soil depth in eroded areas under semi-arid climate conditions. Pamukcular Watershed (Yusufeli-Artvin-Turkey), with total annual rain amount of 250- 400 mm and alluvial soils formed especially by sudden floods, was chosen as the study area. Due to poor vegetation cover, continuous surface erosion was observed for most of the year in the research area, leading us to predict that negative changes may have occurred in soil physical and chemical properties. In order to determine these changes, disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were taken at two depths (0-10 ve 10-20 cm) in 12 parcels with about 3% slope. When soil samples were taken, it was observed that vegetation cover rate was low (20%-30%). The results show that clay content, moisture, aggregate stability, pH, bulk density and dispersion rate of soils was significantly different between soil depths. However, silt, sand, lime and organic matter contents along with air and hydraulic conductivity did not show significant differences.