EVALUATING LANDSCAPE CHANGES AND ENVIRONMENTAL THREATS IN A COASTAL LANDSCAPE CASE STUDY OF BARTIN COASTAL AREA, TURKEY

Abstract

Human activities are primarily responsible for the land-use changes in coastal areas of the northern part of Turkey. The coastal area of Bartin Province was selected to assess coastal landscapes. Remote sensing images were used to analyse the coastal landscape structure. Land-use changes and fragmentation in coastal landscapes were assessed. The results show that land-use has changed over a 25-years period. In 1986, forestland comprised the largest area of the land types, occupying 70.7% of the total area (27792 ha), and cropland made up the second largest area (7611 ha). The areas of forest increased gradually in 2000 and 2011 but the area of cropland gradually decreased. Urban and/or built-up land decreased by 6.2% from 1986 to 2000, and increased by 38.7% from 2000 to 2011. Fragmentation in ladscape level was increased from 1986 to 2000 and decreased from 2000 to 2011. In the class level, fragmentation of the forest areas gradually decreased. Fragmentation of cropland areas increased from 1986 to 2000 and decreased from 2000 to 2011. Fragmentation of urban and/or built-up land was increased from 1986 to 2000 and decreased from 2000 to 2011. Road constructions, tourist facilities, second housing and coal mining facilities are the main human effects on landscapes in the study area. The impact of the human activities in the area is discussed.