Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

CHANGES IN SOIL PHYSICAL PROPERTIES IN SITES AFFECTED BY TERRACING IN CHEHEL CHAI WATERSHED LOCATED IN THE NORTH OF IRAN (CASE STUDY: GORGAN PROVINCE - MINOODASHT REGION)

Mahboobeh Rahmani Khalili, Farshad Kiani, Amirpouya Sarraf and Samira Hashemirad

Abstract

This work analysed the impacts of changes in land use control and terracing on soil properties, such as soil particle distribution, water stable aggregates, and terminal infiltration in Minoodasht region located in the North of Iran. Four terracing sites with four different aspects with slope degree and direction, elevation and ages were selected and evaluated soil quality attributes. The results showed that terracing operation influenced soil physical quality and have to consider as land use operation and management and analyze the effect of that on ecosystem components physical health and the relationships of individuals social and economic related to this management. Based on investigation of soil quality physical attributes was found that terracing reduced water stable aggregates from 61 to 24 percent and terminal infiltration content from 0.35 to 0.21 cm/hr. Also this operation increased the soil pH from 7.32 to 8, EC from 0.347 to 0.808 ds/m and CaCO3 content from 8.96 to 38.69 percent. Statistical difference distinguished in soil quality physical indices between four sites. The mentioned index was evaluated in benches of different terraces. The results showed that soil quality different attributes have not distinguished difference and trend in upper and lower benches of terraces in four sites.