Temporal and spatial change of land cover in Anamur (Mersin) (1990-2024)

TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL CHANGE OF LAND COVER IN ANAMUR (MERSIN) (1990-2024) Anamur is located on the Mediterranean coast of Turkey, west of the Adana section of the Mediterranean region. The terrain of the research area consists of a coastal plain (delta) formed by Anamur and Sultan Suyu streams and high mountainous areas belonging to the Central Taurus Mountains. The total population of Anamur, which is a district center of Mersin province, is 66940 and the main economic activity is banana and tropical fruit production. Production is mostly done in greenhouses. Greenhouses play a determining role in the orientation of the settlement as they are located around family residences. The urban fabric exhibits a pattern where residences and greenhouses coexist. One of the most striking developments in the settlement is the rapid construction of the coasts. This construction, which meets the need for touristic facilities and secondary housing, disrupts the settlement texture. The urban population pressure gathered on the coast constitutes one of the effective factors in land cover change. In this context, our study is to determine the land cover change in Anamur between 1990-2018 according to Corine level II, Land Classes. The land cover classes presented by CORINE data were analyzed using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and the results were expressed in maps, tables and graphs. In 1990, the largest land class in the research area was forests, covering 47,124 (ha) with a rate of 33.08%. In 2000, forests covered 45,316 (ha) with a rate of 31.82% and decreased by -1.26%. The 2024 land classes map was obtained from Landsat 8-9 OLI satellite image. By applying controlled classification, 11 land classes were determined. The identified land class changes were verified by Kappa accuracy analysis with a rate of 0.88%. In 2024, compared to 1990, there were major changes in the subclasses of the main classes of artificial areas, agricultural areas and forests and semi-natural areas. New land classes were first identified in the study area in 2012 ('Mining areas' and 'Industrial Commercial and Transportation Units'). The proportion of artificial areas increased from 0.52% in 1990 to 1.04% in 2024. Field agricultural areas shrink by 3.35%. On the other hand, it was determined that Permanent Crops expanded with an increase of 5.51%, from 0.08% to 5.59%. It is thought that there is an increase in land cover change in Anamur and the pressure on natural areas will continue in line with its high agricultural potential. In the study, 34 years of land class changes were analyzed and evaluated. Keywords: Geographic Information Systems, Corine, Landsat, Land Cover Change, Anamur