Çukurova delta: Land use and human environment relationship

Çukurova Delta is located in the Adana part of the Mediterranean Region, within the provincial borders of Adana and Mersin. The average altitude of the delta plain, which has a simple structure in terms of natural environmental features, is approximately 142.7 meters above sea level. Turkey's Çukurova Delta forms the largest coastal plain with 2972.7 km2. In general, the most important morphological unit that disrupts the simplicity in the flat area consisting of alluvium, river bank sediments (conglomerates), and delta sediments is the Karataş Hills with a clay-shaly limestone, pebbly calcareous structure, which are the continuation of the Misis Hills located in the east of Karataş. The most important existing natural potential of Çukurova Delta is water resources and fertile agricultural lands. These areas have undergone a rapid change in recent years. Conversion of fertile agricultural lands into residential and industrial areas, dams established on water resources and unconscious consumption of water resources with irrigation in agriculture continue today. GIS and RS techniques were used in this study designed to determine the current natural environmental characteristics, land use status and temporal changes of the Çukurova Delta. While the temporal changes of land use characteristics for 2018 were prepared using LandSAT satellite images, land cover changes for 1990, 2000, 2006, 2012 and lastly 2018 were prepared using CORINE (Coordination Information System) data. These data were digitized in GIS environment and land use and land cover change maps were prepared. By presenting the physical and human geography characteristics that affect land use, the relationship between the natural potential and human characteristics with land use was investigated. According to the results obtained in this study, it has been observed that there is a decrease in agricultural areas and water resources within the delta boundaries from year to year, and an increase in residential, industrial and transportation areas. While irrigated agricultural lands and orchards increased in the study area, there was a significant decrease in dry agricultural lands. This situation is an indication that a solution has been brought to irrigation opportunities in agriculture in the delta. Irrigation and drying channels constructed in connection with Seyhan, Ceyhan rivers and Tarsus (Berdan) Stream surround the delta from different directions. The biggest problem in the research area is the loss of fertile agricultural lands over time. The demand for agricultural activities results in the degradation of natural environments such as pasture and forest areas, dunes, and swamps and the transformation of these environments into agricultural areas. While the rapid increase in settlement areas and industrial activities causes the waters of Seyhan, Ceyhan rivers and Tarsus (Berdan) stream to be polluted, it causes problems such as soil pollution, destruction of natural vegetation, damage to biological diversity, shrinkage of wetlands and danger of extinction as a result of improper agricultural practices in the plain. Çukurova Delta still maintains its agricultural importance with its fertile soils. Therefore, determining the problems in the delta and obtaining the maximum benefit from the existing potential and realizing the land use accordingly will be achieved by making a sustainable planning.