Trends of changing land use dynamics in the Terkos Lake basin between 1980 and 2023 and their impact on natural ecosystems

Abstract

Anthropogenic processes are one of the main causes of environmental change in this century. As an indicator of man’s struggle for dominance over nature, the environment has been directly affected. These changes, which we encounter in every region of the place where we live, on a local and global scale, and which are due to man, cause the natural cycle of ecosystems to be disrupted. As in Türkiye in general, land use changes in the study area under the influence of direct and indirect factors in some regions are very rapid. No matter how much effort are made to control them, factors that have a direct impact on the environment, such as population growth, agriculture, industrial facilities, and the design of transport infrastructure, are the most important causes of change. In this direction, this study aims to identify the trends of land use changes around Lake Terkos and to reveal the deficiencies and fragilities of the relationship networks. It is also an indication of possible changes in the ecological status of the lake and its surroundings in relation to this situation. Terkos Lake’s prolonged use as a crucial drinking water source for Istanbul makes it a valuable study site to investigate its ecological state and management practices. Nevertheless, it has recently been under pressure due to transportation (airport, Northern Marmara Motorway, Istanbul Canal and other transport networks), urban sprawl, and industry. In this context, first of all, the dynamics of land use and the rapidly changing areas (hot zones) between 1980 and 2023 have been identified and the extent of the changes over time has been shown. Possible future land use changes were analysed in the light of this data. As a result of the study, the speed of transformation of green areas was revealed. In this direction, especially in the field of the aquatic ecosystem, vulnerable areas were identified, the degree of being affected by future change was revealed and the trend in the dimensions of use and change was analysed.