TEMPORAL CHANGE OF LAND USE IN THE (G？RESUN) DELTA OF HARSIT CREEK (1947 -2017)

Harsit Creek which is one of the major rivers of the Eastern Black Sea region in terms of both volumetric flow rate and length formed a small delta in east of the Giresun province and Tirebolu town centre by depositing the carried alluvium in the mouth portion. Floods caused by Harsit Creek and consisting partially covered with swamp prevents the use of delta as agricultural and residential area until 1950s. The rehabilitation of the Harsit Creek after 1950 and with the drainage of delta began to turn into first the agricultural field, after 1980 a residential area. These changes are today continuing by accelerating. In addition, the coastal road which is one of the country’s major transportation projects and completed in 2000s is located in the coastal areas of the delta. The sand extraction is performed from down ground of Valley of Harsit Creek since the 1990s. Also in the years of 2000s ponds were built on Harsit Creek to produce electricity. These developments lead to a reduction the alluvial soils that are reached by Harsit Creek and it is threatening human facilities on delta. In the present study, aerial photographs belong to 1950, 1973, and 1984 and high-resolution satellite imagery belong to 2007 and 2014 have been analysed; field observations were made; it is focused on both futures of delta and changes in the delta by doing face to face interviews with local residents. In addition, measures to be taken were highlighted