LEE- Şehir ve Bölge Planlama Lisansüstü Programı

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http://hdl.handle.net/11527/19454

Gözat

Yazar "Delibaş, Meltem" ile LEE- Şehir ve Bölge Planlama Lisansüstü Programı'a göz atma
  • Öge
    Assessing the impacts of urban land use/land cover change on soil ecosystem services
    (Graduate School, 2023-10-09) Delibaş, Meltem ; Tezer, Azime ; 502122807 ; Urban and Regional Planning
    Soil represents a dynamic living ecosystem and stands as a fundamental resource for sustaining life on Earth. However, recent years have witnessed a concerning escalation in the detrimental impacts of human activities on the terrestrial environment, particularly evident during the Anthropocene Epoch. Soil, the foundation of terrestrial ecosystems, is surely not exempt from the adverse consequences of anthropogenic interventions, which have exacerbated the problems associated with soil quality and functionality, giving rise to a global emphasis on land and soil degradation. In response to the increasing pressures on soil, the United Nations officially designated the year 2015 as the "International Year of Soils" to raise awareness and emphasize the imperative of preventing the escalating pressures and threats to soil. Accordingly, it was affirmed by several studies that as a result of human activities (e.g., unsustainable agricultural practices, industrial activities, and urbanization) soil's bio-physical and chemical characteristics are subject to varying degrees of impact, contingent upon the nature, pace, and extent of the intervention. In particular, the alterations in land use and land cover (LULC) pose significant threats to soil functions and the provision of ecosystem services provided by soil (SoES). The expansion of urban areas and the concurrent rise in impermeable surfaces accelerate detrimental alterations in SoES within urban settings. Instances of soil sealing, where impermeable materials overlay soil, or land take, involving the conversion of land for construction purposes. This transition in LULC pattern and increase of built-up areas cause long-term alterations in soil structure and result in diminished infiltration capacity for surface water, impeded vertical percolation, altered subterranean thermal dynamics, weakened soil microbial activity, and ultimately indirect or direct detrimental impacts on soil functions and services. Indeed, soil is vital in enabling and ensuring the feasibility and resilience of terrestrial ecosystems through its multifaceted functions and services. Its strategic location at the intersection of the Earth's lithosphere, atmosphere, and hydrosphere empowers it to play a central role in regulating biogeochemical cycles critical to life. Moreover, soil regulates the intricate flow of essential plant nutrients. This regulation by soil supports numerous ecosystem services (ES) indispensable to human well-being, including food, fiber, and raw material production, water regulation, temperature moderation, provision of clean water, carbon sequestration, and preservation of cultural heritage. Furthermore, soil accommodates a vast array of microorganisms, that are nearly one-fourth of the global biodiversity. In addition to its biodiversity-related significance, soil functions as a key agent in global hydrological processes, acting as a vast reservoir for water filtration and storage. Besides, soil serves as a terrestrial carbon sink, promoting equilibrium in atmospheric greenhouse gas emissions, and contributing to the ongoing struggle against climate change. Nevertheless, recent studies emphasize that despite the significant ES provided by soil and its critical role in climate change, soil, and SoES have been partly incorporated into the global ES frameworks and have received limited attention. Furthermore, they have been largely overlooked in urban spatial planning and decision-making processes. Yet, given the multidisciplinary nature of soil science, urban planners, in collaboration with other related disciplines, can play a central role in understanding and managing the intricate functions and services of soil by considering its indispensability for the continuity of life. Herein, the holistic study of soil requires a multidisciplinary approach to integrate the fragmented policy frameworks and practices on sustainable soil management. From this perspective, the study assesses the intricate network involving SoES, climate change, and spatial planning, considering their interdependencies. It underscores the key role of LULC dynamics in optimizing the multifaceted benefits associated with each pillar of this network. The overarching objective of this research is to contribute to the limited understanding and recognition of SoES in urban spatial planning. To achieve this, it addresses the global challenges posed by urbanization and LULC alterations concerning SoES, in connection with climate change. In this context, the study introduces a nexus framework that highlights the interconnectedness of the selected pillars and presents a conceptual framework for assessing the interactions between LULC changes and SoES, focusing on the case of the Buyukcekmece Watershed in Istanbul. The central argument of this research posits that safeguarding and improving the essential functions and services of soil requires the incorporation of soil-related knowledge into urban spatial planning processes. In this context, the thesis comprises six chapters, the first of which presents a comprehensive overview of the research structure and content, encompassing the scope, objectives, findings, and research questions. Furthermore, the chapter provides a summary of the research organization through a thesis flowchart. The second chapter undertakes an exhaustive literature review, delving into the theoretical underpinnings of the study, exploring the significance of SoES, the increasing pressures and threats it faces, and its intricate relationship with climate change and spatial planning. This chapter also incorporates research findings about the distinctive characteristics and challenges associated with urban soil. Chapter 3 elucidates the design of the research methodology and the organization of data, while Chapter 4 serves as the implementation section, examining the research questions and methodology in a selected case study area. In this chapter, the research design is formulated, delimitations of the study are outlined, and the chosen methodology is determined. Furthermore, an exhaustive assessment of relevant literature is conducted to discern the geographical location, demographic and physical characteristics, and potentials of the case study area, as well as the pressures and threats it faces. Subsequently, data acquisition and preprocessing preparations are carried out. Within the predefined methodological framework, the study focuses on analyzing the spatio-temporal changes in the selected SoES supply, as well as the alteration in LULC patterns. Chapter 5 critically examines the findings derived from the analysis, discussing the mapping of critical areas within the study area and proposing new ideas and recommendations for the possible integration of SoES into the existing spatial planning framework. Lastly, the sixth chapter, "Conclusion," offers a comprehensive evaluation of the study, addresses its limitations, and puts forward suggestions for future research.