LAND USE CHANGE ASSESMENT FOR BEEKEEPING IN SOUTHEAST ANATOLIA

Abstract

In this study, land use changes in Mersin, Adana, Osmaniye and Hatay provinces were determined. The study area has vital importance on honey production (citrus, cotton, etc.) for the Turkish beekeeping sector and it is very vulnerable to land use changes due to urbanization and climate change. The land use changes were determined by using 2000, 2006, 2012 and 2018 land cover maps in the Geographical Information Systems (GIS) platform. Moreover, 2000, 2006, 2012 and 2018 beekeeping statistics were retrieved to compare the land use changes and honey production. The results indicate that the fruit trees land use class has increased 1210 km2 from 2000 to 2018 because of these suitable lands for citrus production. In total, 3170 km2 natural plant areas have been destroyed within 18 years which threaten natural beekeeping activities. The study area includes 42 districts and when evaluating the beekeeping statistics, total honey production has increased from 6500 tons to 15000 tons from 2000 to 2018. For the purpose of evaluating land use change and its effects, transitions were determined for the 2000-2018 period to understand the change in land-use trends. The transitions revealed that fruit tree and agricultural lands are being enlarge by destroying the natural plant areas and other complex patterns which are important for beekeeping activities.