Updating of the soil map of the Çukurova University campus area by using geographic information system (gıs)

Abstract

The aim of this study is to update the previous soil map of the Çukurova University campus which was completed in 1974. The widely distributed soil series were selected on previous soil map. Soil series are reidentified and re-sampled in the present study. Physical and chemical analyses were repeated on newly collected soil samples. Satellite image of Quickbird dated 17th of August 2004 were employed for the unsupervised classification. All classes were checked by field truth studies. Previous soil series borders were taken into account during field surveys. The ILSEN software is used to generate Suitability Class of Agricultural Applications (SCAA) and Potential Land Use (PLU). Land Use Capability map (LUC) was made by considering some characteristics which are limiting agricultural managements. Current Land Use map (CLU) is produced via field observations for each land use. Finally, we determined that there is no significant change between 1974 and updated maps for soil series. But there are some differentiations for soil phases since 1974. All maps of the study are produced at 1:5000 scales.