Quantifying landscape pattern change and human impacts on southern lowlands of the Mt. Ida (NW Turkey)

Abstract

The aim of the study is to identify the interrelationship between landuse and landcover (LULC) change and land degradation, using remotely sensed data in the vicinity of the Gulf of Edremit and southern lowlands of the Mt. Ida, NW Turkey. We used a Landsat ETM+ image taken in June 2000, a Landsat TM image taken in May 1987 and a Landsat MSS image taken in June 1975. Construction of new buildings is rampant and often appears to be without concern for the physical environment or any future impact. The focus seems to be on developing now, meeting current demands only. This economically focused development contributes greatly to land degradation and a future inability of the region to function ecologically. Main conclusion of the study is that development of secondary residential areas aimed at tourists is irrevocably altering the agricultural landscape. Because of haman impact on landscape, vegetation zones are changing. Landscape metrics represent that LULC change from brush and shrub rangeland to orchard land dominated by olive groves through secondary residential area or deforestation and that exposed rock and soil to cropland and pasture land through secondary residential area or deforestation.