A Research on the Monitoring of Coastal Land use with Aerial Photographs in the Example of Kadirga bay (Canakkale)

In coastal areas, environmental monitoring is an important tool in acquiring data to achieve the goal of sustainable usage relating to the character of changes in quantity and quality of land cover / land use. Studies can reveal the diversity of species and the natural factors and human influence affecting this diversity, occurring as a result of habitat fragmentation or destruction. As well as comparing the past and current state of environmental resources, monitoring helps to determine trends in the use and changes of resources. It was in this context that KadA +/- rga Bay, located on the northwest coast of Canakkale province, Turkey was studied. Also situated in this location is Assos, a significant site in ancient history with great tourism potential. This study determined changes in land cover / land use by means of photogrammetrical interpretation of data from 1957 to 2002. The research further aimed to determine pressure on the components of the ecological structure of the area. Based on the data obtained, projections can be made to protect the future, and will provide an important source for management of the area. Within the 45-year study period, it was determined that agriculture and secondary housing construction exerted the most pressure on the habitat of the area. In the main, an increase in agricultural activities and secondary house construction emerged as the cause of a decrease in wetlands and forest areas.