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Introduction
“Ecosystem-based adaptation is the use of biodiversity
and ecosystem services as part of an overall strategy
to help people adapt to the negative effects of climate
change” (CBD, 2009)
Today, it is largely accepted that climate change is one of the most important,
real, oppressive, progressive global problems that cause significant adverse
effects on all socioeconomic and ecological systems and living life (Türkeş,
2014; IPCC, 2013; Tekeli et al., 2011). Economic development and social stability
are at risk due to changing precipitation regimes with increasing temperatures,
enhancing the frequency of extreme climate events such as floods and droughts.
These changes pose a major threat to human well-being, people’s livelihoods,
natural resources and ecosystems on which they depend.
“Natural disasters such as floods, fires and droughts experienced on a
global scale in recent years threaten the ecosystem, in particular the human
life; it is observed that the frequency, impact and duration of these disasters
are increasing. Climate change is no longer an environmental problem, but
a problem of sustainability of life. It is now essential to take the necessary
measures against climate change in order to ensure the living standards of
future generations” (TASAV, 2022).
Agriculture has been the main food source of mankind for thousands of
years. During these times, nature-friendly methods which is called traditional
agriculture had fed the world population, which was quite less. However,
with the technologies and techniques developed as a result of the industrial
revolution, the traditional agriculture has been replaced by the concept of
intensive agriculture, which targets more products from each unit area. Along
with the increase in the human population, more natural areas were transformed
into agricultural areas, more chemical pesticides and fertilizers were used in
agricultural production, and eventually the industrialized agricultural system was
expanded, albeit for the sake of destroying nature. Civilization has stepped on an
era of rapid development with the simultaneous increase of technology, industry,
transportation and construction. However, the gradual extinction of nature has
been neglected, perhaps ignored, until the observation of inevitable dangerous
problems such as environmental pollution and climate change. In recent years,
it has been understood that human beings now have to get along well with and
respect mother nature. Researches in this scope have become widespread and
approaches based on the protection of nature have started to be developed.
As in all sectors, there are approaches in the agricultural sector that act within
preservation - use balance for natural resources and ensure the adaptation
to climate change. Ecosystem based applications are the most important
140 Journal of Environment, Urbanization and Climate