Terrain characterization for soils survey of Kucuk Menderes plain, South of Izmir, Turkey, using remote sensing and GIS techniques

Abstract

Aerial photographs and satellite image interpretation, field investigation and laboratory analyses were integrated with a geographic information system (GIS) to recognize and display terrain and soils characteristics of Kucuk Menderes plain, South of Izmir, Turkey. Seven geomorphologic units were recognized, these being: recent shore ridges and marine beaches, schist and phyllite highlands, limestone highlands, foot slopes, alluvial fans, young alluvial plains and drainage basins. The data were integrated with topographic maps covering the area by using GIS tools. Contour lines were used to generate a digital terrain model (DTM) of the area. The DTM was processed to generate shaded relief. A Landsat 7 ETM satellite image was draped on the DTM to display the spatial scope of the investigated area. For the purpose of creating a soil map 15 observation points were dug representing the different physiographic units belonging to the study area. Soil mapping units have been identified by integrating physiographic units, field survey observations, morphologic description and laboratory analyses. Seven soil taxonomic units have been recognized, namely: Typic Xeropsamments, Aquic Xeropsamments, Typic Xerofluvents, Aquic Haploxerepts, Typic Xerorthents, Typic Calcixerepts and Fluventic Haploxerepts. Physiographic and soil maps with a scale of 1:25.000 were produced.