Abstract

The University of Baghdad campus in Jadriya was selected for this study. Jadriya forms a peninsula surrounded by the Tigris River on three sides and is located between longitudes 44.3721116 and 44.387067 East and latitudes 33.266582 and 33.266582 North, with an estimated area of 325 hectares. The study aimed to investigate the soil conditions in this area and assess the quality and health of these soils. Before collecting soil samples, field visits were made to identify surface sampling sites across the entire study area. Thirty surface samples were taken to a depth of 0.3 meters using an auger drill and geolocated using GPS. The GPS coordinates of the study area were also recorded. The samples were brought to the laboratory for analysis and specific measurements. These included physical soil properties such as: particle size distribution, bulk density, hydraulic conductivity, volumetric water content at field capacity, volumetric water content at permanent wilting point, and the difference between the two based on available water. And the chemical properties were electrical conductivity, soil reaction (pH), organic matter, and calcium carbonate. And the biological properties were plant canopy cover, soil respiration, and organic matter. Soil hydraulic conductivity was estimated, and soil respiration was measured in the field, as well as measuring the percentage of plant canopy cover. As for organic matter, it was included in both the chemical and biological properties. The results indicated that the soil of the University of Baghdad is predominantly of medium texture and has a low bulk density, The salinity levels in the entire study area decreased significantly. Soil respiration was observed to be at a moderate to good level in the overall study region. The percentage of vegetation canopy cover exhibited a range from low to moderate levels, with some areas displaying higher coverage. The analysis revealed that the soil type was predominantly of the second kind, corresponding to a moderate soil health class, constituting 90% of the total. This was followed by the first, or poor, class at 10%, with the third, or good, class being entirely absent.