Akdağ'da (Elaziğ-Bingöl) natural environment and human relations

The study area, Akdağ, is located between the provinces of Elazığ and Bingöl in the Eastern Section of the Southeast Taurus in the Upper Euphrates Section. Akdağ, which constitutes the study area, is a mountain mass extending in the east-west direction, reaching 2620 meters in height, forming the administrative border of the provinces of Elazığ-Bingöl. There is Elazig in the west of Akdag and the province of Bingol in the east. A large number of village settlements belonging to Elazig and Bingol provinces on the Akdag mass, as well as Arıcak district and Beyhan town of Elazig province are located on the slopes of Akdag. It is possible to see Precambrian, Upper Paleozoic, Mesozoic, Tertiary and Quaternary lands in the river basins of the area in Akdağ and its surroundings. The Akdağ mass is cut by the East Anatolian Fault (EAF) extending from the north to the east-west side and the Doğanlı Fault extending in the northwest-southeast direction. There is also the Southeast Anatolian Thrust extending in the east-west direction to the south of Akdağ. The climate seen in the study area has the characteristics of the continental climate of Eastern Anatolia. When we look at the vegetation cover, the upper limit of the vegetation cover of the altitude and temperature study area was determined. While oak trees and junipers can be seen up to a certain height in the vegetation study area, vegetation such as geven and holly can be seen as the altitude increases and the temperature decreases accordingly. On the summit parts of Akdağ, there are cliffs. Brown soils, chalky brown soils, chalky brown forest soils, brown forest soils, alluvial and colluvial soil types are observed in Akdağ and its surroundings. The Akdağ mass forms the main water division line of the streams flowing into the Euphrates and Tigris rivers. Yatansöğüt and Mirvan streams are the most important streams in the area. These two streams flow south and reach the Tigris River. Settlements in Akdağ are generally located on slopes, ridges and river valleys. The largest of the settlements in Akdağ are the Arıcak District and Beyhan Town of Elazığ province. Besides, another important settlement is Servi Village of Bingöl province. The geological, geomorphological, topographic, climate, hydrography and soil characteristics of the study area direct all economic activities from the distribution of settlements and restrict economic activities in some areas. Therefore, natural environment characteristics are reflected in human activities. There is a close relationship between the natural environment and the human being in the study area. Economic activities in the study area are generally agriculture and animal husbandry activities. In addition, transhumance activities are carried out to a great extent in the areas of Akdağ that provide suitable conditions in the study area. Land use in the study area is not very diverse due to the high number of mountainous areas in the study area. Settlement and agricultural areas are generally seen in seasonal and continuous river valleys. Keywords: Akdağ, Natural Environment, Arıcak, Highlandism, Geomorphology, Hydrography