Evaluation of Potential Soil Erosion Areas in the Ladik Lake Basin via AHP and GIS Integration (Samsun, Türkiye)

Soil is a fundamental element essential for living organisms, agricultural activities, and food supply. Therefore, the presence and conservation of this fundamental element are crucial for sustainable land management. The Ladik Lake Basin, which was analyzed in this study, is a tectonic basin located in the Northern part of Turkey in the Middle Black Sea Region. Within the scope of this research, soil erosion susceptibility analysis was conducted using Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques, considering multiple geographical factors in the Ladik Lake Basin. In the analyses, eight (8) geographical factors were used: slope, soil depth, lithology, elevation, land use, drainage density, drainage frequency, and precipitation. As a result of the analysis, four (4) distinct levels were identified for soil erosion susceptibility, classified as low, moderate, high, and very high, and the findings revealed that 27.44 % of the basin exhibited low susceptibility, 14.63 % moderate susceptibility, 36.30 % high susceptibility, and 21.63 % very high susceptibility to soil erosion. Preventing or slowing soil erosion is possible through various measures. In a basin with intensive agricultural use, appropriate agricultural practices and crop selection based on slope values are the primary considerations. Such studies serve as a guide for decision makers in taking on-site measures to prevent erosion. Additionally, attention is drawn to the necessary efforts for preventing and reducing erosion in the study area based on the results obtained.