Land use changes of the Balcova-Guzelbahce shore line investigated using geographical information system (GIS) and remote sensing technique

This study investigated and determined land use changes resulting from economic pressure to develop the land which means development pressures, more specifically anthropogenic stresses, originate urbanization on agricultural land such as dam, swamp, highway, settlement and recreation area. The study, based on aerial photographs and satellite images, geographical information system (GIS) and remote sensing (RS) images, was implemented on the Balcova-Guzelbahce shore line where the Izmir-Cesme Highway runs parallel to the west coast of the Aegean Region of Turkey. The changes in land use between the years 1957 and 2005 were determined by GIS and RS technique. Results showed that the area of 1 super(st) class agricultural land decreased from 1753.1 to 989.6 ha because of improper land use changes, with the area of olive groves decreasing from 95.3 to 28 ha, forests decreasing from 837.1 to 806.5 ha and scrub land decreasing from 4310.8 to 4145.8 ha. Furthermore, between 1957 and 1976, dry farming land decreased from 2452.3 to 836.7 ha. In the period after the year 1976, as a result of use out of purpose, all dry farming lands have eventually disappeared by being converted into different use of lands. While some use of lands have been converted into horticulture and irrigated farming, others have been converted into 49 ha highway and 739 ha settlement. It has been understood from the results of the study carried out with GIS and RS technique that most of the fertile agricultural lands have been lost due to land use out of purpose. Key words: Coastal land, geographical information system (GIS), land use, remote sensing.