Page 306 - 7. State Of Environment Report Of Türkiye

23. Kahramanmaraş-Afşin; Yukarı Ceyhan Basin; Hurman Stream Integrated Micro-Basin Reha-
bilitation Project (2024-2028)
24. Kahramanmaraş-Elbistan; Upper Ceyhan Basin; Hurman Stream Integrated Micro-Catch-
ment Rehabilitation Project (2024-2028)
25. Kayseri Erciyes Integrated Flood and Erosion Control Project (2024-2028)

F.5.3. National Land Cover Classification and Monitoring System

Within the scope of the National Land Cover Classification and Monitoring System (NLCCMS)
project, which was completed by the General Directorate of Combating Desertification and Ero-
sion (GDCDE) and TÜBİTAK-BİLGEM in cooperation, determining the current status of land cover
and monitoring changes in land cover over the years are important in terms of evaluating the
effects of climate, water, soil, land cover and use, topography, geomorphology and anthropoge-
nic processes.

NLCCMS is an open-source national software system that can semi-automatically produce land
cover classes specific to Türkiye using artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies
and monitor changes. In line with the needs of all stakeholders using land cover data, 79 su-
b-land cover classes have been determined in 5 main classes specific to Türkiye (settlement,
forest and semi-natural areas, agriculture, wetlands, waterways and water bodies). As a result
of the studies carried out, 32 of the 79 land cover classes are produced automatically and 47 are
produced using auxiliary data. The land cover map produced by the system allows the classifica-
tion of all areas larger than 0.25 hectares in all classes and the monitoring of changes.

As a result of the study, land cover data, tree cover data, surface impermeability data and land
cover change data are produced. The obtained land cover data can be used effectively in all
projects related to Erosion, Desertification, Flood, Landslide, Product Estimation Models, Carbon
Emission Calculations, Climate Change Impact Scenarios, Land Cover Variability Monitoring Stu-
dies, National and International Reporting.

Targets and Projections

The agricultural, forestry and pasture activities carried out in Türkiye, primarily by the Gene-
ral Directorate of Forestry (GDF), the General Directorate of Agricultural Research and Policies
(TAGEM) and the General Directorate of Agricultural Enterprises (TİGEM) within the Ministry of
Agriculture and Forestry, affect soil erosion. In this context, any changes to be made by GDF in
forest areas are revealed by ÇEMGM by monitoring the change in soil erosion. The evaluation and
monitoring of activities carried out by relevant institutions and organizations in agricultural and
pasture areas in terms of erosion are carried out by GDCDE. In addition, GDCDE carries out the
task of preventing and monitoring erosion by afforestation, pasture improvement and comba-
ting desertification within the scope of its activities.

F.6. Forest and Nature Conservation Policies, Developments

F.6.1. Forest Protection

Fires are being fought with 25 thousand personnel, 776 fire watchtowers and 1,600 forest fire
first response teams throughout the country. In the last 10 years covering the years 2014-2023,
an average of 2,568 forest fires occurred annually in Türkiye, and an average of 23,326 hectares

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