Relation between natural environment and human beings at Emirdağ basin and surroundings

While a part of the Emirdağ Creek Basin, the topic area of this study, is located on the Upper Sakarya section of Central Anatolia, another part exist in the Inner West Anatolia section of Aegean region. Emirdağ Basin is bounded by Sayrangah, ?ncirli, Boz Hills on the north; Basyurt, Tülüce, Kara Hills on the south. East of the basin is bordered by Emirdağ Hill and west is bordered by Saphane Mountain.To determine these borders water segment has been accepted as principal line. Amongst these boundaries, Emirdağ Basin replies to geological, geomorphologic and hydrographic catchments area. These areas which covered by the study field, comprehend to Emirdağ district borders as well. The area of Emirdağ district is 2000 square km. Plains in the study area are the maiden units formed by the Quaternary aged alluvium. Emirdağ mountainous hills consist of Mesozoic crystal limestone and volcanic rocks. There are various age and lithology of rocky palisades differing from Paleozoic to Quaternary in Emirdağ Basin. With regards to earth conformation, the most important geomorphologic structure within Emirdağ Basin is the Emirdağ Mountains. On the north slopes of these mountains there are plateaus and just at the end of this area plains take place. At Emirdağ Basin and surroundings Middle Anatolia land climate characteristics are effective. This terrestrial climate which is effective in the study area brings forth too much heat, less rain and more evaporation during summer months which causes draught and these draught effects agricultural activities adversely. Since the study area and surroundings are semi draught areas, under ground water is very important with regards to residential areas and economical activities. The number of continously running watercourses is not much. The most important stream in the basin is Emirdağ Creek. This creek collects the water of streams within the basin and pours into Sakarya River. The most common soil types in the study area are brown, brown forest and limeless brown soils. In the areas where under ground water level is high, hydro morphological alluvial soils are present. Oak and juniper forests also exist in the study area. The plant cover of Emirdağ Basin and surroundings are anthropogenesis characterized steps. Emirdağ district, like in the past, at present takes place on the important roads which connects west and inland sections to north and south. One of the very important road in the history named `King path?, especially during Hittite, Lydia, Phrygia and Roman Empire civilizations, was passing through the district borders. Ruins and cemeteries in the study area remaining from the past, give us an idea on the ancient settlements in the zone. The most important of all these ruins is Amorium. Emirdağ district is a district with three sub district including central sub district, 6 municipalities and 70 villages tied to Central, Davulga and Ümraniye sub districts. Total population of Emirdağ, as fort he results of 2000, is 47.396 and the population of Emirdağ, the central district, is 20.508, the population of sub districts and villages tied to central district is 26.888. 43.2 % of the population is city dwelling, and 56.8 % live in the country land. Physical geographic characteristics of the region has determined the possibilities of the usage of natural environment of the people, land characteristics of the climate in Emirdağ basin effected negatively the living conditions, with regards to economic activities in the region, agriculture and livestock loomed large. Waterlessness, low quality of underground and ground waters, extreme land characteristics of the climate, erosion, selecting wrong settlement areas, and wrong use of the land in the study area have been the main problems resulting from the natural environmental characteristics.