Journal of Environmental Biology

Temporal changes of land use in Asi river delta

(Hatay, Southern Turkey)

 

Author Details

 

Hüseyin Korkmaz (Corresponding author)

Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Mustafa Kemal University 31040, Antakya,

Hatay, Turkey

e-mail: hkorkmaz69@gmail.com

 

Bayram Çetin

Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Mustafa Kemal University 31040, Antakya,

Hatay, Turkey

Veysel Kuscu

Department of Geography, Faculty of Human and Social Sciences, Fýrat University, 23000, Elazýg,

Turkey

Ismail Ege

Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Mustafa Kemal University 31040, Antakya,

Hatay, Turkey

Ahmet Bom

Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Mustafa Kemal University 31040, Antakya,

Hatay, Turkey

Emre Ozsahin

Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Mustafa Kemal University 31040, Antakya,

Hatay, Turkey

Atilla Karatas

Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Mustafa Kemal University 31040, Antakya,

Hatay, Turkey

 

Publication Data

Paper received:

20 October 2010

 

Revised received:

08 July 2011

 

Accepted:

30 July 2011

 

Abstract

Increasing non-ecological land use necessitates more efficient using and utilization of land by man. Therefore, in recent years studies on sustainable land use have gained momentum. In this study, temporal change in land use, mainly between years 1940 and 2010, in Asi river delta on Southern Turkey was covered. To this end, in addition to literature, topographical maps and satellite images from year 1940 and after were used. Also, data were collected through field studies and interviews. Collected data were evaluated from geographical viewpoint using Geographical information system (GIS) and Remote sensing (RS) methods. Unplanned settlement in delta has reached levels high enough to threaten agricultural fields. Especially, great tendency shown by Samandag city and the villages around it towards expanding into delta is an indicator of this threat. In addition, uncontrolled sand mining and touristic facilities on the coastline are also indicators of wrong land use. In future, direction of settlement to slopes around the delta rather than lowlands will be a much more ecological approach.

 

Key words

Land use, Geographical information systems (GIS), Remote sensing (RS), Asi river delta (Hatay, South Turkey)

 

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