Determination of spatiotemporal changes in Erzurum Plain wetland system using remote sensing techniques

Erzurum Plain Wetland is among those of special international importance in Turkey with its biodiversity and countless benefits to its environment. Being so closed to Erzurum city center, it faces a number of threats caused by anthropogenic activities. It is vitally important to make decisions on its protection and sustainable use immediately in terms of future of the wetland. Studies to offer opportunities to monitor long term changes in the area by using advanced technology economically and effectively are expected to guide decision makers. In the present study, the changes in surface area of Erzurum Plain Wetland were investigated between 1998 and 2017 by using remote sensing techniques. As a result of the change analysis conducted using Landsat 5 TM, Landsat 7 ETM and Landsat 8 OLI satellite data, it was determined that there is an expansion in deep and shallow water areas of the wetland. In the study, the effects of climate change and human activities on this surface area change was also examined and it was found as the result of the evaluation that more than climatic factors, change of hydrological structure caused by increase in underground water reserves may be effective on the expansion.