Development of a GIS based decision support system for integrated coastal zone management (ICZM) of Gökova Bay

Coastal Zone is one of the vital regions in terms of both generosity of resources and intensity of land use as well as the range of business fields ensuring the financial continuance of these regions. This grift structure causes conflicts in uses. With the developments in Information Technologies, this structure in Coastal Zones can be managed more effectively. Within this scope, Gökova Bay is also a major coastal zone. In this study, land use and land cover of the study area were gathered and digitized from raster data into the Geographic Information System (GIS). Elevations were digitized from topographical maps and a Digital Elevation Model of land and sea was generated. Biodiversity and anthropogenic stress data were included into GIS by using Marine Biological Diversity Assessment of Gökova Specially Protected Area Project Report of Environmental Protection Agency for Special Areas. GIS data was analyzed and new data was generated using GIS tools. A 500m x 500m grid mesh was set by using all GIS data. Grid data on the GIS was used on the Principal Component Analysis (PCA) in order to determine important parameters to be used in the Decision Support System (DSS) Model. The selected variables were used in the development of the reliable Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) model. The training and testing process of the ANFIS model was carried out for different input and output groups. The relations were determined by the ANFIS model and the output values were forecasted using these relations between input data. After the forecast of output change, the visualized thematic map was prepared on GIS. In this study, the purpose is to develop a methodology to be used in major coastal zones, like Gökova Bay, and to provide information flow to the decision makers.