Influences of slope aspects on soil properties of Anatolian black pine forests in the semiarid region of Turkey

This study assessed the influences of slope aspect on soil physicochemical properties (soil quality indicators) contiguous south-north facing slopes and hill plain (ridge crest) mid-mountain in Central Anatolia, having same climate, vegetation parent material. Anatolian black pine (Pinus nigra subsp. Pallasiana var. (Arnold)) was dominant, Cedar (Cedrus libani A. Richard), oak (Quercus sp.) were co-dominant species all aspects, whereas juniper (Juniperus only recorded north-facing forests. Some determined a grid with 50 m sampling distance topsoil (0-15 cm depth). Accordingly, total 150 samples taken from three adjacent aspects. The data analyzed using one-way ANOVA statistical methods. investigated variables organic matter (SOM), carbon (SOC), nitrogen (TN), bulk density (BD), texture, lime (CaCO3), pH. showed that differences between SOC, BD texture statistically significant at 0.05 levels. Topographic induced microclimatic found to be important factors for variations SOC stocks. resulting analyses no variation (p < 0.05) across aspects SOM, TN, lime, may attributed topographic differences, which cause biotic component trend affect fertility. These results suggest affects soils mountain forests through their direct influence radiation, evaporation, biological activity, moisture content.