Development of Soil Information System for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus

In this study, detailed soil information based on Soil Mapping Units (SMU) that were identified during the soil survey were digitized using ArcGIS and Arc-View GIS software in order to create the Soil Information System (SIS) for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus. A total of 7881 mapping units belonging to 109 soil series were compiled into the database. For each SMU geo-referenced physical, chemical and biological attributes in total 20 characteristics were entered. The selection of the criteria is based on the Soil Geographical Database for Eurasia and The Mediterranean. Spatial analysis was conducted in order to produce soil depth, slope, zinc sufficiency levels and soil salinity maps. However the capability of the database is much more where; specific information for any of the attributes could be extracted and a separate map could be processed for each individual characteristic. The spatial analysis of the data showed that 28.75 % of the soils are deeper than 120 cm where 20 % are shallower than 30 cm. Also nearly 60 % of the country soils are on slopes between 0 to 6 %. The results of the soil salinity analysis were 3.5 % of the country soils had salinity problems where 27 % had zinc deficiencies. Soil Information System (SIS), which could be used for sustainable development for the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, is completed with this study. This study can assist and provide detailed soil information for agronomists as well as decision-makers from other disciplines for the improvement and sustainability of the country.