LANDSCAPE INVENTORY AND CHARACTER ANALYSIS: A CASE STUDY FROM URLA, CESME, KARABURUN DISTRICT, TURKEY

Abstract

In this study, natural, socio-cultural and visual landscape characteristics of the study area were determined by using Geographical Information Systems (GIS) technologies in Izmir-Cesme and Karaburun district located in the north of IzmirCesme highway and landscape inventory and character analysis of the area were conducted. In this scope of the study, the natural and socio-cultural components of the landscape were examined in a planning approach that is sensitive to ecology, environment and natural disasters, in accordance with the conservation-use balance. In the first phase of the study, natural and socio-cultural indicators in the landscape inventory were compiled on the GIS base. In the second phase, the landscape function analysis, which reflects the natural functions of the study area for landscape character analysis, was produced through visual-aesthetic-perceptual landscape quality, water permeability, surface runoff potential, soil erosion risk and habitat value components. Finally, landscape character type maps specific to study area were produced using landuse/ landcover, elevation, slope, forest stand map, great soil groups and rock permeability components. Cluster analysis was performed so that landscape character types can be reduced and interpreted numerically. Suggestions for landscape management strategies were developed by presenting the landscape inventory function and character types of Urla, Cesme and Karaburun districts in the direction of the findings obtained.