Wetlands Under the Pressure of Anthropogenic Impacts and Climate Change: Van Castle and Its Surroundings Natural Protected Area Example

Year 2023, Volume: 28 Issue: 3, 1139 - 1154, 29.12.2023

Emel Aydın Serkan Kemeç

https://doi.org/10.53433/yyufbed.1196351

Abstract

Wetlands, which are vulnerable to climate change and other anthropogenic impacts, are among the most productive and carbon-rich areas in the ecosystem. Coastal wetlands, in particular, are threatened by anthropogenic interventions such as land reclamation, urbanization, and road construction. This study focuses on Van Castle and its Surrounding Natural Protected Area, which represents a coastal wetland. Through appropriate spatial correlation and regression methods, the analysis and evaluations reveal trends of both increasing and decreasing variables related to climate change. Measurements based on satellite imagery indicate significant damage and land use changes in the wetland area due to land reclamation and road construction. The analysis of CORINE land cover maps also supports the decrease in wetland areas. The study concludes that approximately 353,000 m² of land has been reclaimed and 8.5 km of roads have been built, resulting in the exclusion of ecosystem services equivalent to the intervened area within the city. To prevent further degradation, it is crucial to designate this area as a strictly protected or qualified conservation zone.

Keywords

Conservation area, Global climate change, Human impact, Van Fortress, Wetland ecosystems

Antropojenik Etkiler ve İklim Değişikliği Baskısı Altında Sulak Alanlar: Van Kalesi ve Çevresi Doğal Sit Alanı Örneği

Abstract

İklim değişikliği ve diğer antropojenik etkilere karşı kırılgan olan sulak alanlar, ekosistemdeki en verimli ve karbon açısından zengin bölgeler arasındadır. Özellikle kıyı sulak alanları, dolgu, yapılaşma ve yol gibi insan kaynaklı müdahalelerle tehdit altındadır. Çalışma, bir kıyı sulak alanı olan Van Kalesi ve Çevresi Doğal Sit Alanı ele almaktadır. Uygun mekânsal korelasyon ve regresyon yöntemleri kullanılarak yapılan analiz ve değerlendirmeler sonucunda, iklim değişikliği değişkenlerinde artma ve azalma eğilimleri olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Uydu görüntüleriyle yapılan ölçümler sulak alanda dolgu ve yol yapımı sebebiyle önemli oranda tahribat ve arazi kullanımı değişimi olduğunu göstermektedir. CORINE arazi örtüsü haritalarının analiz sonuçları arazi örtüsü değişimini desteklemekte ve sulak alanlarda azalma olduğunu göstermektedir. Çalışma sonucunda, alana yaklaşık 353.000 m² dolgu ve 8.5 km yol yapıldığı ve dolayısıyla şehirde müdahale edilen alan kadar ekosistem hizmetinin devre dışı kaldığı tespit edilmiştir. Daha büyük tahribatları önlemek amacıyla, alanın kesin korunacak alan ya da nitelikli koruma alanı olarak tescillenmesi gerekmektedir.

Keywords

İnsan etkisi, Koruma alanı, Küresel iklim değişikliği, Sulak ekosistemler, Van Kalesi

Supporting Institution

1. Yazar 100/2000 Doktora Bursiyeridir

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