Adaptive capacity assessment in the context of social-ecological system approach in west aegean region

While developing protection and regulation mechanisms for the sustainability of natural resources, there is also a massive pressure created over them as a result of attractiveness of these values by the population growth and its needs. Environmental changes have increased especially in coastal areas that provide ecosystem services with many resources, on a global scale in the last century. Continuing trend of consumption that restricts sustainability also increased the awareness of the sensitivity of coastal areas. In this context, the aim of this thesis is to examine the effects of social and economic factors over the environmental sustainability in Turkey and Aegean cost side of Turkey: Izmir ? Aydın ? Muğla and to understand the spatial pattern and the causes of change in the context of socio-ecological systems approach. Furthermore, it is also important to examine the coping and adaptive capacity of the settlements against the negative conditions of changes. Thesis consists of five sections. In the first chapter, objectives, scope and methodology is given. In the second part; definitions of sustainable development and the evaluation methods are discussed and scientific approaches are described that take place in literature like organizational theory, systems theory, socio-ecological systems approach, complexity, resilience, vulnerability and adaptive capacity. In the fourth chapter, findings from the analysis of the geographical pattern of socio-economic and environmental changes and the determination of adaptive capacity to cope with these changes and vulnerability are explained. Finally, the results of research and recommendations are stated.