Determining landscape character areas and types in district scale: thesample of Artvin-Savsat-Turkey

Abstract

In this study, the landscape character assessment (LCA) methodology was tested at the district scale in Savsat, which is located in the Turkish Eastern Black Sea Region. In addition, the role of the LCA at a district scale in the determination of the tourism and protection potential of the landscape character areas, the development of the regional policies, and integrating them into current land use policies are also discussed in the study.We usedthe LCA methods in this study. The natural and cultural datawere collected in thestudy areas. The determination of thelandscape character areas and ecological analyses were evaluated in GIS; moreover, thelandscape character areas were identified with ―Area Survey Forms‖. As a result of theanalyses, 854 different landscape character types and 13 landscape character areas were determined. We also prepared identity cards to determinethe landscape character areas.As a result, the importance of LCA Method in protecting biodiversity, rural development, and tourism strategies were emphasized in the study.