The effects of land use on properties of soils developed over ophiolites in Turkey

The information about effects of land use on soils developed over ophiolites is crucial in terms of the best management practices. The effects of land use types of forest, grassland and arable land on soil properties were investigated. In study area located in Eastern Mediterranean region of Turkey, soils were formed over ophiolites parent materials. The results indicated that soils under arable land had significantly higher clay and available P contents comparing with forest and grassland soils. The grassland soils significantly differed from others in pH, exchangeable K, Na, Ca, and Mg contents. However, soils of three land uses were not different in organic matter contents. Besides, soils of all land use types had low Ca/Mg ratio (0.47-1.07). The low Ca/Mg ratio causes erosion which leads to dispersion of soils. The results also implied that erosion played a key role in variation of soil properties formed over ophiolites parent materials.