Analysis of land cover change using remote sensing: examples from the karaburun peninsula

This thesis investigates the impacts of mining activities on land cover changes and soil organic carbon (SOC) using remote sensing (RS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) techniques. Initially, mining areas within the study site were identified and digitized. Subsequently, land cover classifications were derived from satellite imagery, and NDVI difference analyses were conducted to monitor vegetation changes. The NDVI maps produced were spatially overlaid with high-resolution SOC data provided by the Turkey Soil Organic Carbon Project. This integrated methodology enabled the quantification and spatial assessment of SOC losses resulting from land cover changes induced by mining activities. The analysis revealed a total of 74.70 hectares of land cover change, corresponding to an estimated 2,988.50 tons of SOC loss. The majority of this loss stemmed from the conversion of forest areas into bare lands, while transitions from agricultural and artificial surfaces to bare areas occurred on a smaller scale. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates, through the integration of NDVI-based analyses with SOC data, a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental impacts of mining activities. The study provides both a methodological contribution to the literature and a practical decision-support tool for post-mining rehabilitation planning.