nstantaneous and historical temperature effects on a-pinene
Effects
of urbanization on agricultural lands and river basins: Case
study
of Mersin (South of Turkey)
Author Details
CelalettinDuran
(Corresponding author)
Eastern Mediterranean Forestry Research Institute, Tarsus, 33401, Turkey
e-mail:
cduran30@yahoo.com
HalilGunek
Department
of Geography, FiratUniversity, Elazig,
23169, Turkey
ErsinKaya Sandal
Department
of Geography, KahramanmarasSutcuImamUniversity,
Kahramanmaras, 46100, Turkey
Publication Data
Paper received:
28
October 2010
Revised
received:
12
July 2011
Accepted:
30 July 2011
Abstract
Largely, Turkey is a
hilly and mountainous country. Many rivers rise from the mountains and flow
into the seas surrounding the country. Mean while along fertile plains around
the rivers and coastal floodplains of Turkey were densely populated
than the other parts of the country. These characteristics show that there is
a significant relationship between river basins and population or
settlements. It is understood from this point of view, Mersin city and
its vicinity (coastal floodplain and nearby river basins) show similar
relationship. The city of Mersin was built on the
southwest corner of Cukurova where Delicay and Efrenk creeks
create narrow coastal floodplain. The plain has rich potential for
agricultural practices with fertile alluvial soils and suitable climate. However,
establishment of the port at the shore have increased commercial activity.
Agricultural and commercial potential have attracted people to the area, and
eventually has caused rapid spatial expansion of the city, and the urban
sprawls over fertile agricultural lands along coastal floodplain and
nearby river basins of the city. But unplanned, uncontrolled and illegal
urbanization process has been causing degradation of agricultural areas and
river basins, and also causing flooding in the city of Mersin and its
vicinity. Especially in the basins, urbanization increases impervious
surfaces throughout watersheds that increase erosion and runoff of surface
water. In this study, the city of Mersin and its vicinity are
examined in different ways, such as land use, urbanization, morphology and
flows of the streams and given some directions for suitable urbanization.
Key
words
Urbanization, Land use, Degradation, Basins of river, Mersin
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