TITLE:
Employing Diversity and Similarity Indices to Evaluate Geopedological Soil Mapping in Miyaneh, East Azerbaijan Province, Iran
AUTHORS:
Naser Nazari, Shahla Mahmoodi, Mohammad Hassan Masihabadi
KEYWORDS:
Field Operation, Validation Area, Similarity Index, Soil Surveys, Landform, Diversity Index
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Geology,
Vol.6 No.10,
September
30,
2016
ABSTRACT: The
geopedological viewpoint attempts to distinguish and introduce the smallest map
unit that has the highest levels of homogeneity and uniformity with respect to
landform, lithology, and soil, especially if the relationship between
geomorphology and soils in the region is well defined. This research intended
to investigate the degree of validity generalization of results obtained in the
geopedology approach for similar landforms in the Miayneh region of East
Azerbaijan Province, Iran. For this purpose, soil diversity study was conducted
through measuring it in a hierarchical sequence in categories of USDA soil
taxonomy and by comparing similar units in the geopedological method through
employing pedodiversity and similarity indices. After preparing the initial
interpretative map (based on aerial photographs) at a scale of 1:20,000, the
HPu211 unit that covered the greatest delineation of study area was selected
and 28 soil profiles, about 90 meters apart, were excavated, described, and
sampled in this unit. The degree of validity generalization of geopedological
results for the mentioned unit was determined by digging 14 other soil profiles
in a similar unit, called the validation area, which was located outside of the
sample area. Results indicated that the value
of Shannon’s diversity index increased from the level of soil order to soil
family in both the sample and the generalization areas; however, only at the
soil family level were there significant differences between soil diversity in
the two areas at the confidence level of 95%. As well as classification of the
profiles dug in the generalization area was different from that of the profiles
dug in the sample area at the category of soil family. Therefore, it is
possible that management generalizability in this method, even at the detailed
scale, can satisfy the related needs. Consequently, interpretative or
managerial purity of geopedological units must be considered in future research.