Ecological Network Creation at Landscape Scale: A Case Study in Zir Valley, Ankara/Türkiye
Abstract
Ecological networks are the linear landscape components served for ensuring the favorable conservation status of the ecosystems, habitats, species and landscapes. Meier et al. (2005) states that “an ecologically compensating areas network is a hierarchical system with the following levels: (i) core areas, (ii) buffer zones of core areas, (iii) corridors and stepping stones, and (iv) nature development and/or restoration areas that support resources, habitats and species”. Basing those statements, in this paper, a method is suggested to create an ecological network by the help of landscape ecology knowledge which simplify to understand the keystone processes and structures what form a landscape. The ecological network creation work is conducted in the example of Zir Valley in Ankara/Turkey using recent information technologies The paper was systematically constructed with the following contents: (1) The importance of Zir Valley in Ankara City valley system from ecological point of view; (2) Landscape analysis through ecological knowledge in Zir Valley: Landscape function and structure; (3) Ecological impact assessment of forces and pressures which transform the landscape; (4) Ecological network creation within the framework of river landscape planning and management practices. As a result, ecological network created for Zir Valley was evaluated for ecologically sound landscape development decisions within the context of Landscape Planning and Management concepts.
How to Cite:
Şahin, Ş., Bekişoglu, Ü. & Bilgili, C., (2007) “Ecological Network Creation at Landscape Scale: A Case Study in Zir Valley, Ankara/Türkiye”, Fábos Conference on Landscape and Greenway Planning 2(1). doi: https://doi.org/10.7275/fabos.2333