An application of GIS-supported analytic hierarchy process to determine the ecological thresholds in the edirne province

Abstract

Providing the sustainable use of natural resources is very important while determining the urban planning and developing strategies. Also another important subject in terms of urban planning process is the identifying the limiting factors that affect urban settlement negatively. Therefore, the determination of the ecological thresholds is one of the most significant factors that must be taken into consideration while urban land use planning. Edirne which is the most western province in Turkey has a rich inventory of natural resources within its wetlands, productive agricultural areas and forest areas. In addition to ecological riches there are also inconvenient areas in terms of urban settlement in Edirne like flood plains, dunes, etc. This study aimed at the subjects of analysis of natural resources inventory and determining the ecological thresholds in the Edirne province by means of parameters like terrain properties, agricultural and soil resources, forest areas, wetlands, surface and groundwater resources, protected areas and geological risky areas. The digital data of the parameters were stored in a geographic information system (GIS) database and made suitable for spatial analysis. The specialist opinions were taken into consideration for determining the thresholds of the parameters. To determine the ecological thresholds from these multi-parameters it was used that the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) which is a multi-criteria decision analysis method. The results of the AHP were applied within GIS environment and an ecological thresholds map of the Edirne province was created for urban land use planning.