Research Information System
LANDSCAPE AND ECOLOGICAL ENGINEERING, vol.21, no.1, pp.65-79, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
Due to human-induced impacts, land use and land cover (LULC) in the Earth undergo a constant transformation, presenting a major concern in recent years. The goal of this study is to clarify the impact of anthropogenic LULC changes on hydrology and sediment load in the Alibeyk & ouml;y Basin located in Istanbul, T & uuml;rkiye. This basin is vulnerable to population growth and urbanization, necessitating attention and precaution, particularly due to the presence of a large airport which connects roads and expands residential areas with open-pit mining activities. That basin is expected to be an excellent example to demonstrate the impact of rapid anthropogenic activity on a drinking basin. We identified LULC classes both before the 2010 event and after the 2020 airport construction within the basin. We used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for simulating daily streamflows and sediment loads. These results indicated a 30% rise in surface runoff associated with the expansion of artificial surfaces. Changes in LULC from 2010 to 2020 significantly affected total sediment loading (+18%). According to the spatial examination, relatively high sediment loads in some subbasins were related to the open-pit mining activities. These findings emphasize the importance of sediment control in the Alibeyk & ouml;y Basin for preserving water quality and ensuring the longevity of the dam in the future. Without precautions, increased runoff and sediment load would cause issues like biodiversity loss, health problems, or floods. Implementing effective policies for erosion control, supported by community participation, can help reduce these problems.