Volume: 4, 2025
4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland:
ENVIRONMENT – PLANT – ANIMAL – PRODUCT
Abstract number: E007
DOI: https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.E007
Published online: 9 April 2025
ICDSUPL, 4, E007 (2025)
Change in cultural landscape. LULC and carbon storage analysis in Hevsel Gardens (2015–2024)
Mücahit Kaya1*, Barbara Sowińska-Świerkosz1
1 Department of Hydrobiology and Ecosystems Protections, University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Dobrzańskiego 37, 20-631 Lublin, Poland
* Corresponding author: mucahit.kaya@up.lublin.pl
Abstract
Cultural landscapes are the tangible products of long-term human-nature interaction and reflect the lifestyles of local communities. Conversely, Hevsel Gardens has functioned as a pivotal agricultural area throughout history, established on fertile alluvial soils fed by the Tigris River. Registered as a cultural landscape by UNESCO in 2015, this area holds strategic importance for the settlements in the region. This study is based on land use maps created using Sentinel-2 satellite imagery with a 10×10 meter resolution for 2015 and 2024. Analyses were conducted using ArcGIS and InVEST software to quantitatively assess the impacts of human activities and environmental factors by comparing a total of eight land classes. The results indicate a decrease of 11.6 hectares (ha) in the Built-up area and 4.6 ha in the Tigris River, while an increase of 11.8 ha and 8 ha was observed in Urban green spaces and Riparian vegetation, respectively. The most significant land conversions occurred between the Built-up area and Urban green space 11.9 ha and between the Tigris River and Riparian vegetation 7.5 ha. Moreover, the analysis of scenic quality reveals an increasing trend as distance from Built-up areas grows. The highest habitat quality values are observed in the Tigris River and Riparian vegetation, as habitat quality improves with decreasing human pressure. Similarly, when carbon storage capacity is examined, Forest areas and Riparian vegetation exhibit the highest values, highlighting their crucial role in carbon storage. These findings reveal that significant changes have occurred in the ecological and cultural integrity of Hevsel Gardens despite its protected status, primarily due to anthropogenic pressures such as declining water levels, pollution, illegal construction, and the fragmentation of transportation networks. As a result, Hevsel Gardens remains of critical importance for the sustainability of ecosystem services and the preservation of cultural heritage for future generations.
Keywords: UNESCO, Hevsel Gardens, ArcGIS, InVEST, cultural landscape
How to cite
M. Kaya, B. Sowińska-Świerkosz, 2025. Change in cultural landscape. LULC and carbon storage analysis in Hevsel Gardens (2015–2024). In: 4th International PhD Student’s Conference at the University of Life Sciences in Lublin, Poland: Environment – Plant – Animal – Product. https://doi.org/10.24326/ICDSUPL4.E007