Investigation and Mapping of Some Soil Properties on the University of Baghdad Campus

Abstract

     Mapping soil characteristics is crucial to understanding the spatial distribution of those qualities and their sustainable uses; knowledge of soil fertility and agricultural yield requires an understanding of the physical and chemical characteristics, including soil acidity, electrical conductivity, and texture. This study employed interpolation techniques, Inverse Distance Weighting, to assess the spatial distribution of soil characteristics on the University of Baghdad campus in Iraq. Twenty-six soil samples were collected at 0–30 cm depth during autumn. The results revealed that sandy loam and loam were the most common textures in the study area. Soil's electrical conductivity ranged between 0.4 and 4.3 dS/m, indicating moderate to low salinity levels. Soil's pH readings did not show significant differences between sites, ranging between 7.00 and 7.11, with an average of 7.05. These results demonstrate that IDW has the potential to be a valuable tool for soil mapping, supporting precision agriculture and land management initiatives, particularly in areas with limited data. Geographic Information System approaches have proven highly effective in modeling and measuring soil characteristics, thereby providing advantages for preserving and enhancing soil health.