Mediterranean wetlands are among the most threatened natural areas. The needs and demands of an increasing human population are modifying land use and converting natural habitats into artificial areas. In order to combat these trends, effective conservation planning needs to provide clear, systematic identification of threats to find sustainable conservation strategies. In this case study, we evaluated current threats in the Gediz Delta (Turkey) using a multi-method approach. First, we did a comprehensive literature review and stakeholder interviews to identify existing threats. We then did a complete survey of the Delta through intensive fieldwork. The threats were coded and ranked using the conservation standards. We used the threat ranking and field survey to map the most vulnerable areas of the Delta. The most commonly observed threats in the field were pollution and agriculture and aquaculture activities. According to the threat ranking, the most important threats are climate change and residential and commercial development. The habitats that are most at risk are agricultural grassland habitats. The results indicate a need to extend conservation actions in the inner part of the Delta. In addition, the multi-method threat ranking approach could serve as a model to improve conservation planning in other sites worldwide.
Monitoring land use / land cover changes is essential for planning and management activities to conserve a particular habitat. In this study, the authors mapped land use / land cover changes in the Gediz Delta (Turkey) between 1984-2020 using Earth Observation and Geographic Information Systems. The maps were built upon the Horizon-2020 satellite-based wetlands observation service processing methodology and algorithms. The authors compared changes inside and outside the Ramsar Area in the Gediz Delta. The results indicate more than 147% increase in built-up areas and decreases of 33% in natural wetland habitats and 27% in natural drylands. The urbanization occurred mainly outside of the Ramsar designated site, but within the Ramsar site, there were increases in artificial wetland habitats and sea waters, with losses in natural wetland habitats. This study provides important monitoring information for managing the land resource in order to conserve the delta and its biodiversity in the future.
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