Resource information
Two different soil maps prepared by different institutes at scales of 1:200 000 and 1:25 000 covering identical areas were compared to determine the accuracy of reconnaissance. These soil maps are widely used in land resources assessment studies in Turkey. They were digitized and then the map layers were compared by using GIS technology in order to assess soil properties and land characteristics. The reconnaissance soil map at the scale of 1:200 000 has the highest accuracy for the slope. The accuracy of other properties in descending order was as follows: slope more than depth more than salinity more than texture more than drainage more than top soil texture. In addition, physiographic and topographic patterns of soils also affected the accuracy. The reconnaissance soil map was found to be less accurate in flood plains where the slope does not affect other soil properties.