DETERMINING OF AREAS WITH HIGH EROSION RISK IN KUCUK MENDERES RIVER BASIN (WEST ANATOLIA, TURKEY) BY USING MULTI-CRITERIA DECISION MAKING METHOD

The objective of this study was to determine the current situation of erosion in Kucuk Menderes River Basin which is a site rich in natural environment potential, and to semtinize possible dangers which the erosion would create in the future, from a geographical-ecological point of view. In the research, Landsat satellite images were utilized to determine the relationship of the current land use-erosion, and "Multi-criteria analysis method" was used in the process of these images. Beside this, parameters such as slope, exposure, lithology etc., which are influential in erosion, were created on GIS software. Finally, areas with high erosion risk in Kucuk Menderes River Basin were determined by overlaying each parameter. There is an inconsistency between the land capability classes and their usage in the basin. While the area occupied by Ist, IInd, IIIrd and IVth class lands which should be used as agricultural fields covers 32%, the area occupied by the agricultural fields covers currently 40%. This situation shows that, in the area, lands have not been used according to their capability classes. In other words, 4% of IIIrd class lands is used as the agricultural area; 16% of IVth class lands as forest; 38% of VIth class lands as the agricultural; 44% as forest-maquis; 11% of VIIth class lands as the agricultural, and 46% of VIIIth class lands as settlement area. The said situation leads to aggravation exacerbation of erosion in the area. As a matter of fact, severe erosion being seen at 30% of the basin affects the lands that are inclined and devoid of vegetation cover. As a result of land degradation and erosion, the basin lands become unuseable losing their natural feature. To prevent this loss is possible by establishing a pattern of land use which is suitable for natural environment potentials of the lands (land capability classes)