Geographic information system–assisted site quality assessment for hazelnut cultivation using multi-criteria decision analysis in the Black Sea region,Turkey

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Developing land suitability models for strategically critical agricultural products to expand sustainable agricultural policies and sensitive...     

Building community resilience: business preparedness lessons in the case of Adapazarı, Turkey

The lack of attention paid to businesses in disaster management systems from the standpoint of state policies hampers efforts to build community resilience. This paper examines, therefore, the extent of business preparedness for disasters. Empirical research was conducted in Adapazarı, Turkey, 13 years after the İzmit earthquake, which struck the northwest of the country on 17 August 1999, claiming the lives of some 17,000 people. For the study, 232 firms were selected to inquire about their preparedness before and after the event. It is hypothesised that business preparedness is influenced by the following set of variables: business size; business sector; business age; financial condition prior to the disaster; occupancy tenure; market range; education level; and previous disaster experience. In line with the findings of the research, a policy framework is constructed to rationalise the allocation of resources for building resilience at the aggregate level by facilitating business preparedness.     

A dendroecological study on Pinus nigra Arn. at different altitudes of northern slopes of Kazdaglari, Turkey

This study was carried out to investigate the relationship between tree ring widths of Pinus nigra in Kazdaglari having humid and very humid climatic conditions. Sixty two trees were cut from 24 sampled points from different altitudes in Kazdaglari to measure treering widths. To determine the responses to the climate, correlation coefficients between treering widths and climatic data were calculated during biological years from October of the previous year to September of the current year In lower altitudes, where climate type is humid, spring and summer precipitation affect the growth of tree rings, but they are not statistically limiting factors. In higher altitudes, this effect is weaker. As a result, we can conclude that the negative effects of the drought are still not clear on the Pinus nigra trees under humid and very humid climatic conditions and at the northern slopes in submediterranean mountainous regions in Turkey.     

Land quality assessment and sustainable land use in Salt Lake (Tuz Gölü) specially protected area

Land quality assessment is of great important for decisions on sustainable land uses and the conservation of ecosystems of high biodiversity value. The main objective of this study was to determine properties of land quality of specially protected area of the Salt Lake using CORINE land quality assessment methodology and to propose a revision for this model. In addition to field study and laboratory analysis, digital soil map, digital elevation model, satellite image and climatic data were used and analyzed with remote sensing and geographic information systems techniques to generate actual land quality map and to form database for study area. Results show that 42.1% of the study area has high quality, 28.7% was classified as moderate quality and 4.0% was determined as low quality. On the other hand, some places classified as moderate quality, were not accurately classified. These places should be low land quality due to content of high salt concentration. Therefore, to resolve this insufficient situation, some soil parameters such as chemical properties should be collaborated with this model. In this case, moderate land quality level of the study area decreased from 28.7 to 12.3%, whereas 4.0% of low quality land of the study area increased to 20.8%. In addition, this research was also carried out to provide guidance for planner or decision makers about specially protected area of the Salt Lake.     

The effects of bio-solid and tea waste application into different levels of eroded soil on N, P and K concentrations

The main objective of the study was to find out the effects of various organic matter sources such as bio-solid (BS) and tea waste (TW) on macro nutrient content of eroded soils. In order to determine different soil erodibility levels (slightly, moderately and severely), erosion ratio (ER) and soil erodibility factor (K) parameters were used. Soil samples used in this research were taken from bulk surface (0-20 cm depth) located on agricultural lands of Asagi Aksu village that is 20 km far from Samsun province in the north part of Turkey. These lands have been used as agricultural activity. Some properties of the soil classified as Vertic calciudoll were determined as follows; fine in texture, organic matter content varies between 0.83% and 0.90%. In addition, pH and EC values of these soils are 8.0-8.1 and 0.64-0.79 dSm( - 1) respectively. This study was conducted by applying four different doses of BS and TW (0%, 2%, 4% and 6%) in eroded soils under greenhouse condition. Each treatment was replicated three times in a split block design. After 18 weeks incubation period associated parameters were determined in all pots. According to analysis results, it was found that while BS treatments increased total N, available P and exchangeable K content of all eroded soils comparing to control treatment, effectiveness of TW on P is very low in slightly and moderately erosion levels. BS and TW applications increased K content in soils. However, it was determined not significant statistically between effectiveness of these various organic residues whereas, N and P values significantly correlated with BS and TW (P < 0.05). In addition, change of N, P and K values depending on the application doses and soil erosion levels were found statistically significant (P < 0.001).     

Modeling wastewater discharge at the planning stage of a marine outfall system

The possibility of marine discharge of a negatively buoyant industrial waste was evaluated by a modeling study using Killworth 3-D, which is the first version of the Modular Ocean Model (MOM). The Model was run with the recorded wind direction and speed on the cruise dates and the circulation patterns for surface and subsurface were found to be similar with the current meter measurements. Model scenarios have been set-up in order to estimate the intensity and direction of the currents in the Nemrut Bay under the condition of wind blowing from a definite direction for a long time. MOM model has been run for four major wind directions, each having duration of 10 days and the behavior of the discharge plume in the worst case has been traced. Also, the behavior of the discharge plume in the real case has been estimated by using the wind data of the region. According to the model results, impact of trace elements that compose the discharge effluent is limited both in time and space. It is concluded that trace elements will leave the Bay in a short time due to the short residence times.     

Environmental sustainability in an agricultural development project: a system dynamics approach

Regional agricultural projects based on water resource development have many potential impacts on social and natural environments. In this research, potential long-term environmental problems of the Southeastern Anatolian Project (GAP) related to water resources, land use, land degradation, agricultural pollution and demography are analysed from a systems perspective. The analysis focuses on the totality of environmental, social and economic issues. For this purpose, a system dynamics simulation model (GAPSIM) has been developed as an experimental platform for policy analysis. GAPSIM was validated, first 'structurally', using the tests suggested by the literature and then the model 'behaviour' was tested and calibrated with respect to available data. The reference behaviour of GAPSIM reveals that, as the irrigated lands are developed, GAP faces significant water scarcity because of the increased intensity of cotton, the crop with the highest demands for water. Simulation results also indicate that two key environmental factors, pesticide and fertilizer consumption may reach undesirable levels. Alternative irrigation water release strategies, development rates of irrigated fields and farm rotation practices appear as important policy tools in achieving long-term environmental sustainability. GAPSIM promises to be not only a useful laboratory for policy makers of GAP, but also a useful generic structure applicable to other similar regional development projects.     

Assessment of seasonal and spatial variations of physicochemical parameters and trace elements along a heavily polluted effluent-dominated stream

This study focuses on a heavily polluted effluent-dominated stream that passes through an industrialized region near Izmir, Turkey. The intermittent creek receives domestic and industrial discharges of Kemalpa?a District Center and its neighborhoods and more than 180 factories of the organized industrial zone. A monitoring campaign was conducted on the creek and samples were taken in two different seasons with distinct hydrological characteristics from 20 stations along the creek to quantify the quality status of water and sediment columns. A number of physicochemical parameters, heavy metals, and trace elements were measured by field and laboratory techniques to assess the status of creek’s water and sediment quality. The spatial and temporal variations were determined, and statistical tools were used to conduct an environmental forensic overview along the creek. A geo-accumulation index and a modified heavy metal pollution index were calculated to cumulatively assess the quality of sediment and water columns, respectively. The results revealed that the creek was under significant pollution load from the industrial zone where metal processing, food and beverage production, marble and natural stone manufacturing, and paper production are made. In particular, elements such as Co, Cu, Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, and Zr were found to be above the surface water quality standard values. Similarly, B, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, and Sn were determined to be in extreme levels in the sediment column with values exceeding the probable effect concentrations.