AN ANALYSIS OF ANTHROPOGENIC PRESSURES OF A METROPOLITAN AREA USING RS AND GIS

Abstract

It is essential to analyse the changes in land use in order to evaluate the ecological consequences of urbanisation and anthropogenic pressures for appropriate decision-making. Urban development impacts environmental quality and the ecosystem. Earlier and current development plans of Istanbul aim to decentralise the industry from the Metropolitan area of Istanbul; therefore, decision-makers need new zones for industry. Tekirdag is considered as the alternative location for the industrial load of Istanbul. Naturally, industrialisation boosts population growth and migration rates in to Tekirdag. In short, The Istanbul Metropolitan area accelerates the urbanisation and industrialisation in one of the neighbouring cities - Tekirdag. Another driving force is hydrological suitability which is one of the most important factors in the industrialisation process of Tekirdag. The province comprises two water basins; the Ergene water basin located in the northern region and the Marmara basin - in the coastal part. The Ergene water basin, an adequate water source, fulfils the main requirement for fabrication processes which also brings together settlement areas around industrial zones. However, negative impacts occur on forests, protected natural areas, water basins, pastures, agricultural lands, and sea-ground water ecosystems. 82% of land are productive agricultural areas in Tekirdag, and half of this percentage is composed of rich agricultural soil mostly vitalised by the Ergene water basin. This paper presents an analysis of land degradation due to anthropogenic pressures on natural resources in Tekirdag using GIS and remote sensing (RS) by driving forces, pressures, state, impact, responses (DPSIR) model.