Spatial ditribution and mapping of Yüksekova Plain soil fertility indicators and function

The functioning of soils is crucial for providing various ecosystem services. Therefore, it is highly important to determine and monitor the functioning capacity of soils, which are a sensitive component of ecosystems. Understanding the changes in soil properties over time due to land use change is necessary for developing strategies that minimize soil quality degradation and its adverse effects on ecosystem functioning. In this study, the impact of land use change on soil productivity in the Yüksekova Plain, one of the most important sub-ecosystems in Hakkari province, was investigated. Soil samples were collected from 232 different points from the corners of 800 x 800 meters grids at depths of 0-20 cm, covering an area of approximately 17,500 hectares. Soil texture components (clay, sand, and silt content), bulk density, lime content, electrical conductivity (EC), soil reaction (pH), organic matter (OM), available phosphorus, extractable potassium, beta-glucosidase enzyme activity (BGEA), and urease enzyme activity were analysed. The data were optimized using linear scoring method to calculate the Soil Quality Index (SQI) of the Yüksekova Plain. The distribution of SQI and scores for each indicator in the plain were mapped using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The findings revealed that SQI values ranged from 0,53 (low quality) to 0,91 (very high quality), with an average of 0,74 (high quality). The distribution of SQI values in the plain demonstrated that 0,48% of the plain had low, 27,58% had moderate, 66,34% had high, and the remaining 5,6% had very high soil quality index.