The relationship between land use change and socioeconomic indicators in some European countries

The world has been in constant change since the day it came into existence and continues to do so. Changes in land cover occur as a result of various land use patterns. Land use patterns are realized both as a result of natural causes and according to human needs. These changes in land cover often bring about irreversible ecological and economic problems. Forested areas and agricultural areas, which are two important classes in land use, are closely related to each other. What connects these two sectors is the human factor. Since humans have been able to cultivate and use the soil, they have been involved in agricultural activities for thousands of years from past to present and have realized their livelihood and nutrition in this way The aim of this study is to observe the changes in land use classes, especially forest and agricultural areas, for 38 countries in the European continent and to relate these changes to socioeconomic data. Within the scope of the study, land changes in 2000, 2012 and 2018 was analyzed using CORINE land cover data. These changes were monitored for the periods 2000-2012, 2012-2018 and 2000-2018 and the changes between classes were tried to be determined. The data obtained were analyzed with socioeconomic indicators of the countries. As a result of the study, it was determined that there was a decrease in forest areas in 13 countries and an increase in 25 countries for the 2000-2018 period. For the same period, it was concluded that there was a decrease in agricultural areas in 31 countries and an increase in 7 countries. It was concluded that there was no statistical correlation between the income and EU membership status of the countries and the changes of agricultural and forest areas in the 2000-2018 period. KEYWORDS: CORINE, Land cover, Socioeconomic indicator, Forest area, Agricultural area