Natural area mapping using remote sensing data and geographical information systems (A case of Karabuk province)

Human, physical environment and ecosystems are factors that affect and limit each other. When human utilize their surrounding physical environment physical environment and ecosystems only do react. Ecosystems are losing their natural balance in Turkey, just as in other countries in the world. Disruption of natural balance leads to climate change, extinction of plant and animal species and environmental problems such as air-water-soil pollution. For protection, maintenance and sustainable use of ecosystems and rich biodiversity in protected areas and other natural or semi-natural areas a good management is essential. A database which can be updated is necessary to make area management plans. In addition, it is important to determine planning boundaries precisely. Map-based boundaries need to overlap with regulations and scientific studies and it is important to gain widespread acceptance. The study area was selected as Karabük province. Analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was used as mathematical model. Topographical factors (altitude, slope, aspect, drainage), land cover/land use factors (artificial surfaces, agricultural areas, forests, wetlands, water bodies), wildlife (areas with known numbers and locations, migration routes) factors that influence naturalness were identified. Using AHS method, 100 wildlife experts were surveyed and each factor were weighed and mapped. In accordance with the "natural" concept in the regulations study area was classified in three groups as "Natural (1)", "Semi-Natural (2)" and "Non-Natural (3)"areas.