Relationship Between Geomorphological Units with Land Use in the Marmara Island

Abstract

Marmara Island, in the province of Balıkesir is in the southwest of the Marmara Sea. The island is an important tourism center for the surrounding with its geographical location, coastal and marine tourism features. The consumption of natural resources in Marmara Island in recent years and the seasonal increase in the population increase the pressure on the land. The use of the land in accordance with its geomorphological characteristics is important in terms of protecting the field and ensuring its sustainability. In this study, the relationship between geomorphological units and land use in Marmara Island was examined by using geographic information systems. Then, the potential use of the current use of the land in accordance with the geomorphological characteristics of the field was discussed. The study area consists of mountainous areas, hilly areas, plateaus, and alluvial plains in terms of geomorphological units. Approximately %80 of the mountainous and hilly areas that make up %95 of the Marmara Island are forest, shrub, and mining areas. Alluvial plains are mostly used as agricultural land. Although land use in the study area is generally shaped according to morphological units, there are also areas where the land is used incorrectly. For this reason, it is necessary to determine the land use problems in Marmara Island and make plans to optimize the land use.