Role of Landscape Character Analysis in Evaluation Interaction Between Rural Settlement and Protected Area: Kapisuyu Basin Sample

Abstract

Protected areas are valuable in terms of the sustainability of biodiversity and their contribution to local economy. The interaction of protected areas with the settlements in the surrounding area plays a significant role in the continuity of their properties. It is mostly rural areas and rural settlements around the protected areas. Most of the rural settlements are villages. While protected areas have a potential to effect the economic structure of the villages positively; villages have a potential to negatively impact the biological diversity in the protected areas. Therefore, it is necessary to identify, monitor and restore the interaction of protected areas with the villages around these areas. Starting from this statement, this study aims to identify the interaction of protected areas in Turkey with the villages in their surroundings using landscape character analysis technique. The spatial order of the settlements and their distance to forest areas are considered in classifying rural settlements in Turkey. However, these criteria are insufficient in measuring the interaction of these settlements with forest areas and protected areas. Considering this fact, an original methodology aiming to determine the effect of rural settlements on the biological diversity of protected areas is suggested. In the classification within the scope of the methodology and in developing the methodology, the studies concerning the village classification in Turkey and in the world as well as the landscape character analysis approach are based upon. The study was carried out in the villages within the Kapisuyu Basin in the Kastamonu-Bartin Kure Mountains National Park Planning Area. In accordance with the character identified for each village, the contribution and effect of the villages to the national park were assessed. In this study, it is determined that the most important criterion identifying interaction between village and national park is location. Location criterion affected land pattern and settlement patter and brought about scattered structure.