1. İstanbul Uluslararası Coğrafya Kongresi Bildiri Kitabi
Examination of ecological conditions of vegetation regions in the Başkonuş mountain (Kahramanmaraş) using Geographic Information System
Ahmet Avcu, Murat KarabulutThe ability of vegetation to sustain itself in a certain region depends on the region’s ecological conditions such as climate, soil, lithology, and topography. Depending on ecological conditions, vegetation cover varies from one region to another. This diversity is more evident in mountainous regions because ecological conditions in these regions change over short distances. From this perspective, the Başkonuş Mountain—an extension of the Amanos Mountains in Kahramanmaraş—is quite rich and diverse in terms of its vegetation cover. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of vegetation stands in pure and mixed forms in fields and identify the ecological conditions affecting their relationships with geographical factors such as topography, slope, view, and elevation. Different databases were created for each species in the vegetation stand groups, and their relationships with the determined parameters were analyzed using a geographic information system (GIS) software. Changes in vegetation cover were observed as a result of the changing ecological conditions over short distances. Forest vegetation cover was primarily located at altitudes of ≥1000 m and reduced gradually with decreasing altitudes. This study demonstrated that GIS methods should be used in designing studies to protect natural life and ensure continuity of its contribution to people.