Investigation of the effects of land use type changes on some soil physical and chemical properties

This study was carried out to investigate the effects of landuse changes on some soil physical and chemical properties in Binbaşıoğlu and Belpınar Villages of Tokat-Zile district. Soil erodibility, texture, very fine sand, coarse material, aggregate stability, bulk density, dispersion ratio, hydraulic conductivity, lime content, pH, EC and organic matter of soils were evaluated. Research topics are as; Belpınar Village continuous farmland (A), Belpınar Village from farmland converted to forestland (B), Binbaşıoğlu Village continuous farmland (C), Binbaşıoğlu Village continuous grassland (D), Binbaşıoğlu Village continuous forestland (E) and Binbasioglu Village from forestland convert to farmland (F). Dispersion ratios were below 15% and were evaluated as resist to erosion. Similarly, the soil erodibility values of research subjects have been identified low-medium erodible soils. Statistical comparisons showed all research subjects were under risk of current soil degradation processes although some soil properties were showed some statistical difference. Continuous pasture and forestlands showed insufficient organic matter content and aggregate stability due to low vegetation density. The expected positive and negative changes could not be observed due to less than 10 years of continuous agriculture, forest-to-agricultural and agricultural-to-forestland. It is recommended to prevent the misuses of grassland and forestland. This result showed reduced soil tillage, crop rotation and fertilization applications will be beneficial for sustainable soil management.