A Comparative Soil Survey of B Horizons Thickness and Soil Development across Toposequences: A Case Study of Soil Management in Erbil Province

Abstract

This study investigated the extent to which topography influence B horizons thickness and pedogenic development across three distinct toposequences in Erbil province, Iraq. The studied sites were Gomaspan, Zewe, and Sakran as three different locations inside the Erbil province. In each location, three positions of Summit, Backslope, and Toeslope have been selected to take the parameters related to B horizons. The research aimed to investigate how topography and elevation affected the B horizons. Statistical results demonstrated that both factors of location (which are represented by elevation) (p=0.019) and topographic position (p<0.001) are significant determinants of soil maturity. In the Sakran site the B horizons thickness were 25.4 cm at the Summit position to maximum of 58.3 cm at the Toeslope position. Gomaspan ranged from 22.3 cm to 49.2 cm. While, the lowest elevation of the location of Zewe showed the B horizon renged from 20.1 cm to 51.7 cm. A clear pattern of the translocation of clay particles from the upper slope positions making thicker and more mature B horizons. This research clarifies the dominant role of topography in mountainous pedogenesis. Providing essential data for soil classification, better land use, and environmental management. The results emphasize that in semi-arid regions slope position and elevation variability act as the essential controls on the soil horizon development. To utilize the result of this research in a wider scale it should be re-make it for the entire region and the aim will be best agricultural practical for better land use.