Evaluating urbanization, fragmentation and land use/land cover change pattern in Istanbul city, Turkey from 1971 TO 2002

Abstract

Spatiotemporal analysis of landscape dynamics is crucial in formulating an appropriate set of actions in landscape management. This paper presents a large scale analysis of the spatiotemporal structure of Istanbul, a highly urbanized city in Turkey, from 1971 to 2002 using forest cover type maps analysed with geographical information systems (GIS) and a spatial statistics programme. The quantitative evidence indicated that increasing population and expanding urbanization caused drastic changes to the temporal and spatial dynamics of land use/land cover pattern in Istanbul. There was a net increase of 5387Á3 ha in total forested areas (1Á0 per cent) due to mainly reforestation activities even though the population increased three times over a 31-year period. Increase in number of patches and decrease in mean patch size together demonstrated that the landscape developed into a more fragmented structure that would negatively affect biodiversity and the resilience of the ecosystems. In conclusion, plain increase in forest areas may not always be a favourable situation. The quality, composition and the configuration of forest landscape should also be analysed to present the dynamics of ecosystem in terms of ecological and economical sustainability over a longer time and larger area.

A landscape analysis of land cover change in the Municipality of Rome (Italy): Spatio-temporal characteristics and ecological implications of land cover transitions from 1954 to 2001

“…This expansion trend poses additional challenges in any attempt to achieve a good balance among economic development, social wellbeing, and conservation of ecosystems and their services (Andersson, 2006;Mörtberg et al, 2007;Wu, 2010). Relatively few studies, however, have taken into account the suburban and peri-urban areas associated with urban expansion together with a landscape perspective (Ç akir et al, 2008;Catalán et al, 2008;Solon, 2009).…”

Dynamics of surface water quality driven by distinct urbanization patterns and storms in a Portuguese peri-urban catchment

“…Binns et al 2003). The abandonment of the mountains and the urbanization process influence landscape characteristics, such as its structure, function and dynamics (Çakir et al 2008;Keesstra et al 2009), leading to major environmental and water resources impacts (e.g. Alphan 2003), including both hydrological processes (e.g.…”

Assessing Urban Sustainability Using a Multi-Scale, Theme-Based Indicator Framework: A Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta Region, China

“…By 2050, it is projected that about 64% of the developing countries' people will live in urban areas [2], and this number will be 77.5% for China [4]. The rapid urbanization has caused a series of environmental and socioeconomic problems globally [4][5][6] and led to more concerns about urban sustainability in both political and scientific arena [3,[7][8][9].…”