Evaluation of desertification tendency based on soil characteristics in çankiri urban forest

Urban forests are areas where recreational activities are carried out and the environmental effects of the surrounding natural resources can be examined.In this study, which was carried out in the Çankırı urban forest in the Kenbağ district of Çankırı province, it was aimed to evaluate the desertification tendency depending on the soil characteristics in these types of areas where recreational activities are carried out. Soil sampling was done at 30 different points in the study area with a size of 22 ha and desertification survey forms were filled simultaneously. Volume weight, uniformity determination, lime content, soil reaction and organic matter content were determined in soil samples. Desertification risk and environmental sensitive area (CSA) type sensitivity scores were calculated using the DIS4ME (Desertification Indicator System for Mediterranean Europe) model. According to the data obtained using the DIS4ME system, the risk of desertification is in the low risk group with the lowest 2.26 and the medium risk group with the highest 5.14. The risk was calculated to be higher in the sampling points located around the walking paths and the viewing terrace where recreational activities are carried out more frequently in the area.