Evaluation of Çankiri Karatekin University Forestry Faculty research and application forest in terms of soil quality

Soil quality, which is one of the important functions of the soil, requires productive, high quality, healthy and fertile soils for the continuation of vegetative production. In this context, soil quality and health had an important role in the continuity of ecosystem processes. This study was carried out in order to evaluate the soil quality in Çankırı Karatekin University Faculty of Forestry Research and Application Forest with an area of 367 hectares located in Eldivan district, approximately 30 km from Çankırı city center. For this purpose, surface soil samples were taken from 0-30 cm depth by systematic sampling at 98 previously determined points. Soil texture, field capacity and wilting point, bulk density (BD), water-resistant aggregate, soil organic matter content (SOM), lime content, pH, electrical conductivity, phosphorus analyses were made in soil samples. When the study area is evaluated in terms of soil quality index (SQI) classes; 340.86 ha (92.88%) part is in high quality and 26.14 ha (7.12%) part is in middle quality class. Some topographic parameters such as aspect, elevation and slope were effective at the points where SQI had low values. As a result of the correlation analysis between SQI and soil properties; sand (r = -0.492, p <0.01), clay (r = 0.441, p <0.01) content, SOM (r = -0.207 p <0.05) and HA (r = -0.446 p < 0.01) was moderately strong, while weak positive correlations were found in silt content (r = 0.282, p <0.01). These soil properties are indicator soil properties for the study area. By conducting studies in areas with similar characteristics (geographical regions, climate and topographic conditions), indicator soil properties and methods can be developed for soil quality.