Effects of toposequences on soil physicochemical properties and enzyme activities in semi-arid landscapes
Yeleuova E. Smanov A. Kenzhaliyeva B. Zhussupova L. Demesinova A. Amirzhanova Z. Aşkın T. İslamzade R. Kızılkaya R.
January-March 2026Federation of Eurasian Soil Science Societies
Eurasian Journal of Soil Science
2026#15Issue 145 - 55 pp.
This study investigated the influence of landscape position and parent material on soil physicochemical properties and biological functioning along the Çankırı–Acıçay River toposequence. Our objectives were to (i) characterize six representative soil profiles, (ii) quantify the range and spatial variation of key hydrolytic enzyme activities (urease, phosphatase, arylsulfatase, and β-glucosidase), and (iii) evaluate the relationships between soil properties and enzymatic activity. The transect encompasses distinct lithologies: right-bank soils developed on Quaternary alluvial deposits (terraces/floodplains), while left-bank soils evolved from a complex mix including Oligo-Miocene gypsum and rock-salt strata (steep slopes). These differences resulted in classifications as Entisols, Inceptisols, and Mollisols, and distinct variations in particle-size distribution and organic matter (OM) accumulation across the profiles. Results showed that topography-driven erosion and deposition strongly controlled soil OM dynamics, which was the primary regulator of enzymatic activity. OM correlated with all enzymes, r = 0.81** to 0.89**. The old river terrace soils (depositional areas) exhibited the highest enzyme activities due to greater OM and finer texture, confirming their function as biological hotspots. Conversely, upper-slope and gypsiferous soils displayed minimal enzymatic potential. In conclusion, variations in landscape position and parent material fundamentally alter both soil development and enzyme-mediated nutrient cycling within the semi-arid landscape of the Çankırı–Acıçay River basin.
enzyme activity , organic matter , Soil genesis , soil landscape , toposequence
Text of the article Перейти на текст статьи
Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University, Kyzylorda, Kazakhstan
Kazakh National Agrarian Research University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
Ordu University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Ordu, Turkey
Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University, Baku, Azerbaijan
Sumgayit State University, Sumgayit, Azerbaijan
Ondokuz Mayıs University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Samsun, Turkey
Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University
Kazakh National Agrarian Research University
Ordu University
Azerbaijan State Oil and Industry University
Sumgayit State University
Ondokuz Mayıs University
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026