The Comparison of the Forms of Land Capability Classification of Atalay and USA in Eskişehir Province (Turkey)

Turkey is an area where climate changes immediately, vegetation, or land gets different in a short distance. Geological and lithological features show diversity. Also, our country’s territorial existence and diversity also bring about different land use conditions. Therefore, land capability also differs from each other. Nevertheless, the classification of land capability used in Turkey is the classification of land capability for agricultural lands prepared by the United States (USA) in 1961. Due to this, [1] have made suggestion on a new classification of land capability considering our country’s geographical conditions. In this study, comparing the land capability with the classification carrying out in our country, the classification which Atalay and Gündüzo&#287lu suggested, has been aimed. Working method has been established according to regional approach and field observations have been done. In preparing the cartographical material, ArcGIS 10.3 has been used. The map of this study as a material topography, physical map, slope, aspect, the usage of the land, ground, geology, land capability, geomorphology, temperature, and precipitation has been examined, meteorological data have been appreciated. According to the findings attained, Eski&#351ehir’s map of land capability has been done through the criteria of the suggestions of Atalay and Gündüzo&#287lu. As a result, it has been understood that there is a difference between the USA land capability that applied in Eski&#351ehir and Atalay and Gündüzo&#287lu’s criteria. In the study, it is suggested to determine the land capabilities again considering the ecological conditions of Turkey.

Characteristics, Fertility Status and Fertility Capability Classification of Steep Slope Soils of the Dschang Cliff (Cameroon Western Highlands)

Mountainous ecosystem soils are subject to colonization nowadays for agricultural purposes due to an increasing population in towns making the detailed characterization of such soils indispensable. This work aims to characterize the steep slopes soils of the Dschang hills and to evaluate their fertility level for agricultural valorization. Thus, four soil profiles were dug at various topographic positions (summit (SP), shoulder (MP), backslope (BP) and footslope (PP)) following a toposequence. Samples of disturbed and undisturbed soils were taken and analyzed in the laboratory according to standard methods. The Fertility Capability Classification (FCC) and simple limitation methods were used to identify major agricultural constraints. The main results show that profiles thickness is moderate, between 0 and 120 cm, with a high sand content (at least 50%) over the entire toposequence, especially at the surface. The study site has four types of soils, namely Eutric Cambisols (ochric) in SP and Leptic Eutric Cambisols (Humic) in MP, Eutric Cambisols (Humic) in BP and Stagnic Oxygleyic Dystric Gleysols (Humic) in pp. The soils are very acidic at PP, moderately acidic at BP and SP and slightly acidic at MP. Organic matter is higher at the surface than at depth at the topographic segments of MP, BP and PP and low to SP. The C/N ratio is high (>17) in all profiles except P4 (<10). In addition, the cation exchange capacity (CEC), the sum of exchangeable bases, total nitrogen and available phosphorus is low in all profiles. The Ca/ Mg/K balance in all the profiles shows a cation imbalance and a relatively high concentration of exchangeable potassium compared to the ideal situation (76% Ca, 18% Mg and 6% K). The major constraints to crop production are: aluminum toxicity (a) and nutrients leaching (e), textural discontinuity (LS), flooding (g), low nutrient reserve (k), sand (S), clay (C) and slope (t). Hence the fertility capacity classes of these soils are CCaegk (PP), SSek (BP), SSte (MP) and LSaek (SP). To improve the yield, it will require off-season crop cultivation, fertilization and liming, and earthworks.