The natural environment planning and natural environment-human relationships on Harput plateau

Field of study, Harput Plateau, is situated the Upper Firat part of the East AnatoliaRegion. Harput Plateau which holds historic Harput town on it, has 30-40 km length, and 15-20 km with. Plateau, lies in the east-west direction which is appropriate to the morphologicstructure of the region. Harput Plateau with the average of 1450-1500 m height, is surroundedby Elazığ Plain and Uluova from south, Kuzova from west, Keban-Pertek subsidance (MuratRiver Valley) which is largely covered by Keban Dam Lake from north and Uluova Straitfrom east.Harput Plateau, is against a waved high weary flat which has developed widespread inEast Anatolia at the end of the Lower-Middle Miosen before the Neotechtonic period. Plateauhas rised in some parts with the faults in the east-west direction which has occured on UpperMiocene and Pliocene, and declined as the result of corrosion. The plateau which has risedalong the fault lines, has warping to the south. Thus, the plateau is not made of a single wearyflat, but of the flats belong to the several different periods.The structure of the erosional surface that makes up the plateau, made of the volcanicrocks that belongs to the Senonien old Yüksekova complex. Rocks belonging to the HaramiFormation have earned a position of paraallokton, traveled to the field exists on the complexto the field. Middle parts of the plateau is filled by the crystalized limestones and unitsbelonging to the Mid-Upper Eosen old Kırkgeçit Formation that places inharmoniously on thevolcanic rocks.The climate of study area and its surrounding shows a transition characteristic betweenContinental Climate and Mediterranean Climate. Because of Harput Plateau is an oldresidential area, its actual vegetation as Oak-juniper forests have been destroyed. HarputPlateau and its surrounding is very poor in case of soil structure. The common soil types ofplateau are noncalcic brown soil types, however these have been degratated by erosion. Thestudy area is mainly consist of permeable and dissolving rock types due to its morphology andlitology characteristics, hence it is also poor in case of water resources. The plateau is nearlylack of permanent river, furthermore present seasonal rivers have cut rifted in plateau?ssurface.Date of civilization on the Harput Plateau goes back to 4000 years ago. Establishmentson the Harput Plateau and its environment are usually in the forms of villages and districtswhich have gathered around water resources. Geomorphology, climate and soil properties ofstudy area, shape the distribution of civilization, population, and economic activities. Theyalso limit the economic activities in some fields. In other words, the social activities on theHarput Plateau and its environment take place in the control of the natural environmentcharacteristics.There is a strong relationship between the natural environment and the peopleconducting different economic activities. Agriculture and stockbreeding are the maineconomic activities in the Harput Plateau and its environment that makes up the field of thisstudy. However, insufficient water and soil resources limit the agriculture on Harput Plateau.Basalt lavas that created stony surface, from the volcanic centers are also another limit for theagriculture on this region. On the other hand, vegetable and fruit production exists on thefields that have enough water resources.With its historical, cultural, religous, and natural potential, Harput Plateau is one of themost important fields of Elazıg and the region. Historical Harput town which is 5 km awayfrom Elazıg city is also on the plateau. Having more elevation, about 500-700 m., than itsenvironment, Harput is in a position to see all its surroundings. Town of Harput, which is likean open field museum, has an important and interesting charateristic in terms of the historicalfindings from almost every period of history. However, these advantages of the plateau is notbeing utilized enough. In addition, the field of study and the land structures on itsenvironment has a characteristic that can be used for the purpose of ekotourism.Study area has a high potential in case of natural resource properties. In order to usethis potential more efficient, they should be planned according to ground features, soil andwater resources, and tourism resources. In this context, firstly at the study area; the stonesshould be cleaned from volcanic area for getting as agricultural area, sides should bestabilized, the area with risk of erosion should be controlled, in addtion to save and improvethe present forests also new forest lands should be developed, for tourism several recreationareas should be developed, the natural and historical strutures located on study area should bepreserved by law, some areas should be developed as national park, and from Keban Dam theprojects that especially related with transportation, water sports, and fishery products shouldbe developed. In the case of utilization, if these potential values are assessed and plannedefficiently, Harput Plateau will be a much better place to live.In this study, beside the natural environment peculiaritien of Harput Plateau andrelations between environment and human; a model, that has not been paid much attention bygeographers in our country until now, is directed for planning of natural environment, is putforward.KEYWORDS: Geography, Elazığ, Harput, Harput Plateau, Natural Environment,Natural Environment Planning.