Determination of Soil Moisture and Temperature Regimes for Samsun Province According to Newhall Model

Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine soil moisture and temperature regimes for soils in Samsun province, which has various geographical and ecological properties, using Newhall simulation model. Data from six stations (Atakum, Bafra, Çarşamba, Ladik, Havza, and Vezirköprü) with average rainfall and temperature records for many years participated in the study. Also, Erinç, and Thorwhite climate classification systems were used in order to determine climate classification of the province. According to Erinç climate classification, the eastern parts of Samsun are located in the humid class while the middle and western sections are in semi-humid class. When the Thornthwaite climate classification is taken into account, the eastern sections are found humid and the middle coast sections are fund humid and semi-humid. The high sections of the Bafra district and the Vezirköprü are semi-arid and less humid, while some of the Havza and Kavak districts in the inner part are classified as semi-arid. According to Newhall model, soil temperature regime of all Samsun’ area was classified as Mesic. In terms of humidity regime, Ladik, Basin, and Vezirköprü are classified as Typic Xeric, Atakum and Bafra districts as Wet Tempustic and Çarşamba as Dry Tempudic. It is also suggested that the soil temperature and moisture distribution plots obtained with the Newhall model will provide important support for soil water management and drought studies.

Keywords

• Soil temperature and moisture regimes
• Newhall simulation model
• Samsun province