TITLE:
The Comparison of the Forms of Land Capability Classification of Atalay and USA in Eskişehir Province (Turkey)
AUTHORS:
Mücahit Coşkun, Ayşe Nur Uzun Turan
KEYWORDS:
The USA Land Capability, Atalay Land Capability Classification, Landuse, Geography, Eskişehir, Turkey
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Geoscience and Environment Protection,
Vol.4 No.13,
December
29,
2016
ABSTRACT: 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 Gündüzoğlu 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, Eskişehir’s map of land capability has been done through the criteria of the suggestions of Atalay and Gündüzoğlu. As a result, it has been understood that there is a difference between the USA land capability that applied in Eskişehir and Atalay and Gündüzoğlu’s criteria. In the study, it is suggested to determine the land capabilities again considering the ecological conditions of Turkey.