Faulting and Lithological Features in Vegetation Distribution: A Remote Sensing Asisted Case Study from SE Turkey

Abstract

In this study, the effect of lithological and tectonic parameters on vegetation density was investigated. In this context, two faults and their immediate surroundings in an area whose bedrock is flysch and limestone in the southeast of Turkey (south of Lake Van) were chosen as the sampling area. In the research area, generally, the extensional tectonic regime in NE-SW direction has developed many normal faults and these faults have gained oblique character in places. The aforementioned faults not only controlled the tectonic-morpho dynamics and geomorphic character of the research area, but also controlled the texture of the vegetative cover. For the target purpose of the study, field studies were carried out and remote sensing techniques were applied. GIS and remote sensing outputs (NDVI, lineament, lithological map) and field findings were compared. As a result, it was determined that there were significant relationships between vegetation density in the sampling area, fault lines and lithological features