Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Yetemen Ö. (Yürütücü), Şen Ö. L., Görüm T., Göğüş O. H.
TÜBİTAK Projesi, 2019 - 2022
The proposal is designed to examine the influence of desertification induced by climate change in semiarid landscapes of Turkey on erosion dynamics. Building on knowledge of vegetation coupled landscape evolution modelling, the investigator will examine the spatial patterns in erosion yields and the physical effects are not currently appreciated in an evolutionary landscape evolution modelling framework.
The objectives of this proposal are (1) to understand how the landscape morphology and erosion dynamics interact with changing climate in Turkish arid lands, where water-limited ecosystems prevail. (2) To characterize the co-evolution of ecosystems and landscapes within in an evolutionary perspective. (3) To assess the implications of nutrient–limitation on erosion yields.
This proposal test the following hypotheses: (1) If the semiarid regions in Turkey are prone to desertification, climate change will exacerbate the ecosystem conditions and will lead to higher erosion rates. (2) If the semiarid regions in Turkey are less productive, they cannot support enough growth for denser vegetation because of climatic conditions. Hence, the nutrient limitation in plant growth will lead to higher erosion yields. (3) Vegetation provides erosion protection on the earth surface. Hence, the land-cover change (degradation), such as forest to shrub or grass transition, or denser grass to sparser grass transition, as a result of climate change will lead to higher erosion yields.
To reach these targets, in this study, we will use a state-of-the-art landscape evolution model which couples vegetation and landscape under given climate forcing. Representation in changes in the climate will be implemented in the model. Then, the modelling results will be investigated.
The social significance of this project, there is an immediate application to the Turkish landscapes. More than one-third of Turkish lands are water-limited; more than 50% of Turkish soils are experiencing severe or very severe erosion. Therefore, this study has socio-economic significance on a national scale. This research falls into the research priority: ‘improved accuracy and precision in predicting and measuring the impact of environmental changes caused by climate and local factors’ (Vision 2023) which underlines the sustainability of food, energy, and natural resources.