Evaluation of areas sensitive to soil erosion: The case of Yarisli Lake sub-basin

Soil erosion, a natural and geomorphological process, is one of the important problems in the world today that creates negative effects on agriculture, natural resources and the environment. The basic principle of sustainability is to work to prevent land degradation. When the study area is observed in general, it is understood that the problems arising from the land planning approach create pressure on the natural environment. Since the Yarisli Lake sub-basin is an area sensitive to land degradation and soil erosion due to its steep and sloping slopes, it is predicted that incorrect land use may cause soil losses that lead to devastating results in the long term. In this study, it is aimed to evaluate the effects of the changes in incorrect land use in the sub-basin of Yarisli Lake over the years on geomorphological units with erosion sensitivity. In the study area, the land was simulated using the SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) Model, which is a hydrological model capable of simulating hydrological events in different environmental conditions in detail. The modeled land was classified, supported by terrestrial measurements obtained in the study area, and many maps were produced. Erosion assessment studies form the basis for determining the extent of soil loss, identifying areas susceptible to erosion, and developing appropriate conservation and restoration strategies. What is intended to be done with this study is to evaluate the results of erosion, which we encounter as a natural destruction in Turkey and in the world, in the Yarisli Lake Sub-Basin.