Project overview:

The soil carbon mapping project was designed to capture and make available data on the physical and chemical properties of soils. These data can be used to assess levels of land degradation, desertification or soil contamination in areas of interest. The captured data are stored in Turkey’s consolidated soil information system, which can be accessed online via a web-based Geographical Information System (GIS) by farmers, researchers and policy-makers. 

FAO worked together with the Soil, Fertilizer and Water Resources Central Research Institute, which is attached to the Turkish Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock. Since 2012, 12 500 soil samples from the Ministry’s archive have been analysed for data related to fertility, texture, salinity, organic carbon and bulk density.

The Ministry’s research staff were trained on soil organic carbon analysis, digital soil mapping and the development of a web-based GIS portal for soil data sharing and dissemination. As a result, end-users now benefit from access to reliable data which enables them to make better informed investment decisions for the preservation and sustainable management of soils.

Key results of the project:

• Over 12 000 soil samples were collected across Turkey and analysed to establish detailed soil data.
• 60 research staff at the Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Livestock received training on soil organic carbon analysis, digital soil mapping and the operation of a web-based GIS portal.
• Soil organic carbon content maps of 30 agricultural basins in Turkey were prepared and shared via the WebGIS portal. The database is now accessible to end-users, such as public institutions, universities and researchers.
• Various maps were developed including:
• Thematic maps of soil quality and fertility parameters at a scale of 1/500 000
• Map of soil organic carbon distribution and updatable soil organic carbon stock
• Potential chemical fertilizer consumption during the last decade