Environ Monit Assess (2011) 175:419–430 DOI 10.1007/s10661-010-1540-2

Pollution caused by peoples’ use for socio-economic purposes (agricultural, recreation and tourism) in the Gölcük Plain Settlement at Bozdag˘ Plateau ˙ (Ödemi¸s-Izmir/Turkey): a case study Banu Ozturk Kurtaslan · Öner Demirel

Received: 14 October 2009 / Accepted: 26 May 2010 / Published online: 30 June 2010 © Springer Science+Business Media B.V. 2010

Abstract Mountainous areas, which form the largest geography of our country and are called reserves of resources owing to their difficulty of accessibility, have been increasingly under threat of exploitation and overuse in recent years. The area in question from among the mountainous areas, which are sensitive ecosystems with their environmental components, is the Bozdag˘ mass located in Gölcük Plateau Settlement, which has been subject to intensive construction and use. This study is intended to reveal the current uses of Gölcük Plateau (agricultural, recreation, and tourism) and determine the sources and effects of pollution as a result of these uses and aims at revealing how the permanent residents of Gölcük Plateau Settlement on Bozdag˘ Plateau, which is a center of attraction with respect of recreation and tourism activities, and those who go there

B. Ozturk Kurtaslan (B) Landscape Architecture Department, Selçuk University School of Agriculture, Konya, Turkey e-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Ö. Demirel Landscape Architecture Department, Karadeniz Technical University School of Forestry, 61080 Trabzon, Turkey e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

only in certain periods, use the environment for tourism and recreational purposes, and determine their positive and negative impacts on environment through SWOT analysis. Keywords Lake Gölcük · Gölcük High Plateau · Rural tourism · Rural recreation · Water pollution

Introduction The reason why choosing Gölcük Lake in this study is the increasing shoaling event which is originating from water using for the needs of agricultural causes and second resorts in addition to increasing clay and pollution threat as a consequence of lake’s witnessing to the increasing touristic and recreational uses. The fact that mountainous areas, which constitute the largest geography of our country, have been subject to various intensive uses until to this day accelerated the ecological degradation of these sensitive areas. Another of the uses that speed up degradation is tourism activities that could be handled under many different titles such as mountain tourism, winter tourism, and mountain sports and they attract ever increasing numbers of people to mountains. These activities,

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which could actually be regarded as alternative sources of income for the local people of mountainous areas, carry the potential to cause an environmental disaster if left to their own devices. Lack of knowledge in assessing the true value of the rich natural resources in mountainous areas has been the top element that prompted destruction. These potential values are not thoroughly known in their full dimensions and nor are there any reliable studies regarding the populations living there. Environmental problems that emerges in the mountains of our country as a result of misuse is the following: concrete construction in stark contrast with natural formation, solid and liquid wastes, trafficking of biological species, poaching and illegal tree felling, fires, animal rearing activities, agricultural activities and erosion, industrial and power plants, and tourism and recreation. Numerous researchers have examined the impact of leisure behavior on the physical environment and natural resources upon which the tourism industry depends (Uysal et al. 1994; May 1991; Boyd and Butler 1996; Pearce 1985; Prentice 1989; Countryside Working Group 1991; Wall 1997). The natural environment is crucial to the attractiveness of almost all travel destinations and recreation areas (Farrell and Runyan 1991). The environmental dimension in tourism is an important factor, because areas where nature is spoiled and polluted are less attractive to tourists (Gülez 1994). One class of tourism often cited as a type of tourism that attempts to minimize the negative effects of traditional tourism is nature tourism or ecotourism (Doan 2000; Lindberg and Hawkins 1993). Nature tourism and ecotourism are rapidly growing components of the international tourism industry (Higgins 1996). The term “green tourism” was adopted, for the first time, in rural areas where, in order to maintain quietness and pleasantness, it was necessary and convenient to avoid the extremes of mass tourism (Montanari 1994). “Nature” tourism (Halbertsma 1988), “ecotourism” (Fennell and Eagles 1990), and “alternative” tourism (Butler 1990; Travis 1988) can all be considered forms of green tourism, which are environmentally conscious and soft in character. The term ecotourism is defined as responsible travel to natural areas that conserves

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the environment and sustains the well-being of local people (Blangy and Wood 1991). In particular, nature tourism, travel to natural areas such as national parks or to areas of great natural beauty or ecological interest, has become increasingly popular. However, without careful planning and management, tourism can have adverse impacts on the environment and on indigenous people and their cultural values (UNEP 1987). Traditional tourism is a source of not only income but also environmental pollution and landscape resource destruction. How to leave landscape resources to future generations is the key to sustainable development of tourism. Ecotourism industry could be an approach to sustainable use of landscape resources (Yonglong 1991). Some indigenous people are exploring innovative ways to harness tourism to support the traditional elements of their land-based economy, rather than being consumed by the industry. The “authenticity” of this tourism experience represents a major asset as well as a significant management challenge (Notzke 1999). As a result of this, the concept of “sustainable tourism”, which contains the basic goals of developing the environment, economy, and tourism, has emerged. (Var 1991; Butler 1991; Wall 1997).

Materials and methods ˘ extend as a chain of mountains for about Bozdags 170 km in an east–west direction between the ˙ provinces of Izmir and Manisa in the west of ˘ whose north– Anatolia. The mass of Bozdags, south width reaches 20 to 25 km between Gediz and Kücük Menderes Plains, has a length of 140 km between Karaçay Strait in the east and Mahmut Mountain in the west. The highest point of this mass is the Bozdag˘ Peak with a height of ˘ and lake Gölcük located at an 2,159 m. Bozdags altitude of 1,050 m on these mountain chains and the plain settlement are in the middle of a plateau covered with pine trees within the borders of Zeytinlik county 28 km to the north of the district of Ödemis, Izmir (Fig. 1). The lowest altitude at Gölcük Plateau is 800 m and the highest is 2,159 m. Lake Gölcük is an alluvial dam lake that was formed when a river that flew along Küçük

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Fig. 1 Geographical location of Gölcük Plateau

Menderes Plain was blocked due to the collapse of this plain (Yılmaz 1991). The Tabak is the biggest river in the vicinity of Gölcük and carries the waters of the lake to the river Gediz as the lake’s emissary (Vardar 2002). It is pointed out that seasonal differences of temperature may be ˘ observed between the high mass of the Bozdags and the plains around this mass and that the dominant climatic system is the Mediterranean Thermic System in which hot summers and not so cold winters especially in the plains are observed. The temperature ranges from 7 to 11◦ C at high altitude at an around Gölcük Lake. The altitude where Bozdag˘ and Gölcük Plateaus are located is one that receives one of the highest amounts of precipitation (900–1,000 mm; Koçman 1989). Hydrographically, the Gediz flow in the north ˘ mass while Kücük Menderes flows of the Bozdags in the south. The Tabak Creek, the Kur¸sunlu Creek, and the Gümü¸s Creek, which originate in Gölcük Plateau, flow through the northern slopes of the Bozdag˘ mass and join with the River Gediz. The Kur¸sunlu Spa, which thermal waters come from within and around the Kur¸sunlu Creek, is 2 km southeast of Allahdiyen village and 15 km to Bozdag˘ Plateau. The waters in the spa come to the surface at five different places and the spa has been serving the public in its facilities since 1987.

˘ and their immediate environment The Bozdags are included mostly in the “Eastern Mediterranean Region” with regard to flora. As altitudes rise from lower slopes to higher elevations on Bozdag˘ Plateau, Lemurs and Laurels (Garig), Cluster Pines (Pinus brutia), Scotch Firs (Pinus nigra), and sub-alpine vegetation (mountain steppes) can bee seen. On the other hand, since the vegetation in this region is under constant human interference, it has lost much of its original composition, but climax vegetation begins to appear in places where human influence disappears (Demirel et al. 1996). The following species are found in the area, which is extremely rich with respect to wildlife and bird species; vertebrae: five species of frogs; reptiles: two species of tortoises; six species of lizards, and four species of snakes. There are 28 species of birds living in and around Lake Gölcük. Of the mammals, six species, namely weasels, beavers, wild pigs, foxes, hyenas, and porcupines are found in the area. There are 19 species of freshwater fish living in inland waters in rivers and lakes, of which two (the salmon or the pike and the carp) live in Lake Gölcük while the remaining 17 live in rivers. Torrhebia is the ancient name of Gölcük on Mount Tmolos. Gölcük was given this after the Lydian king Torrhebos. Seized first by the

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Table 1 Swot analysis table Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

The area’s having extremely rich natural resources that may serve recreation and tourism Forests

Lack of rich recreation and tourism activities

The people’s being open to new approaches

The gradual depletion of the lake’s water level

A lack of ignorance on the part of the local administration regarding the conservation of environmental values Inappropriate use of natural resources

Improving fishing with fishing line by breeding fish in the lake

Gradual decrease in biological diversity

Improving health tourism

Improving mountaineering

Flora and fauna

Inefficiency of nongovernmental organizations Rapidly increasing construction efforts (The use of secondary homes made of materials harmful to the environment) Unsolved traffic problem

Illegal felling of trees in forests and shrinking of forests Gradual Increase in the number of visitors Increase in concrete buildings and hard grounds

Rich biological diversity

Inefficiency in garbage collection and disposal

Climatic conditions which are conducive to human health

A lack of awareness in marketing the traditionally made artifacts as gifts and souvenirs A lack of promotional activities

Plateaus

Mountains Rivers

Advantages of visual perception (Panoramic views)

Thermal waters (Hot water sources)

The area’s not being granted conservation area status

Traditional agricultural activities Traditional house architecture Assets of folklore and ethnography Historical values

Low educational profile of the local people Insufficiency of infrastructure services

The favorable nature of the landscape to the organization of diverse tourism and recreation activities The area’s possession of the only water deposit on Bozdag˘ Plateau (The lake) Its proximity to large settlements Providing local people with employment opportunities

The cultural contact between tourists who come for recreation or tourism purposes and the local people will raise local people’s awareness. Planned construction of nature schools in the natural environment offered by nature and forests

Depletion of the Lake’s fish stocks Conversion of farming lands into construction area for houses Local administrations’ not having a budget for conserving of natural lands Local administrations’ not having sound knowledge about natural values in the area

Construction of various leisure and recreation facilities by public and private enterprises as consequence of political pressure on local governments Cultural degradation

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Table 1 (continued) Strengths

Weaknesses

Opportunities

Threats

The area’s having experience in tourism The local people’s earning income from recreation and tourism and having employment opportunities The existence of sufficient accommodation Its convenience to transportation The existence of a large variety of wild life and birds that may contribute to hunting tourism

Hittites and then the Phrygians in the thirteenth century BC, this area was conquered by The Macedonian Kingdom in 334 BC. After a thousand years of Byzantine rule, the Ottoman Empire controlled the area between 1307 and 1308. In a written source about Lake Gölcük called “Manazir-ül Avalim”, the author referred to the lake on Bozdag˘ and stated that the settlements around here were used as summer resorts. Gölcük was included within the borders of Turkey after the foundation of the Turkish Republic (Yavuz 1986). As well as its proximity to the metropolitan city ˙ ˙ of Izmir, its being only 22 km from Izmir–Ankara motorway, one of Turkey’s major transportation ˙ routes, and 30 km from Izmir–Ödemi¸ s motorway, ˙ which connects it to Izmir, Gölcük enjoys a geographical advantage besides recreational appeal (Soykan 1994). There is no permanent settlement on Gölcük Plateau but six neighborhoods exist by the lake: Cumaönü, Gedikdüzü, Adaba¸sı, Kar¸sıyaka, Danacılar, and Örselli. Of these, Cumaönü is the plateau settlement called Gölcük today and affiliated to the township of Zeytinlik. Therefore, this seasonal settlement on Gölcük Plateau, where the people of Zeytinlik move during the summer months for economic and resting purposes is one that is used at certain periods. The population which stands at about 1,000 in winter months may reach up to 5,000 during the summer, and this unusual increase in

population can be accounted for by the fact that the area receives population from outside of the township of Zeytinlik (population in 2000, 2,724; Soykan 1994). Gölcük Plateau is an area where chiefly culture crops are grown. The most important agricultural product of these vast valley beds is the potato and potato fields dominate the plateau landscape with their green vegetation. While elevations of 1,000 and 1,200 m limit the growth of crops like olives, figs, grapes etc., apple, walnut, chestnut, sour cherry, and linden trees are frequently encountered in the area (Soykan 1994). Animal husbandry is usually in the form of rearing sheep and goats to make a living. Beekeeping, freshwater fishing, and the recently introduced decorative plants farming is among the economic activities. Reforestation efforts undertaken by Ödemi¸s Forest Administration include planting of P. nigra, P. brutia, chestnuts, and oak trees. The study aims at revealing how the permanent residents of Gölcük Plateau Settlement on Bozdag˘ Plateau, which is a center of attraction in respect of recreation and tourism activities, and those who go there only in certain periods use the environment for tourism and recreational purposes and determine their positive and negative impacts on environment through SWOT analysis. SWOT is very effective in determining the strong and weak aspects of the subject matter of the study and explaining the opportunities and threats it may face. When the analysis is completed, the basis for

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Table 2 Arguments for and against developing tourism and recreation within the borders of Gölcük High Plateau Arguments in favor

Arguments against

An increasing number of people’s desire to visit the area

The damage caused by overuse of natural resources due to recreation and tourism activities concentrating especially in summer months A lack of proper disposal of garbage and other wastes

Positive contribution that will be made by the development of tourism and recreation in the area in respect of job opportunities The creation of a new center of attraction through plateau (summer resort) tourism The necessity to make a conservation plan aimed at preserving the resources thought to be possessed by the area which is planned to be turned into a tourism and recreation center The possible contribution of surrounding and plateau settlements to the recreation culture that will be created in the area The promotion of the traditional culture created by the area for years to visitors

Preparing an inventory of natural and cultural riches, having the local people develop an awareness of conservation of the values and increasing this awareness Turning traditional products made by local people (handicrafts etc.) and crops into sources of income through tourism and recreation The necessity to conduct a visitor management preparation in respect of infrastructure services that will be needed by visitors, who will come during the peak season (celebrations, festivals and special days especially summer months) The necessity to take some precautions and do engineering work so that certain recreation and tourism activities that will be brought to the area, road network and various interventions on land will not create a hazard of any kind (flood, landslide, erosion) The fact that efforts have been spent to promote the area so that it will become a center of attraction

Agreement on the principle that public institutions private sector and universities cooperate with local people in all activities related to the area and as a result of this local people’s recognizing and adopting local assets and participating in relevant activities *Developing an understanding of cooperation between the local administration and local people

The damage that might be caused by various uses and hard surfaces required by recreation and tourism facilities Besides the damage caused by chemical fertilizers used in farming to water sources (lake ecosystem), the possibility of recreation and tourism activities’ contaminating water sources Gradual degradation of natural vegetation due to excessive treading Excavation and filling activities that will be performed on the area may create visual pollution and cause environmental disasters like landslides if measures are not taken Forest thinning activities on the rugged plateau area and felling of trees as burning wood and the ensuing danger of landslides The damage and visual pollution that will be created in nature by the increasing motor vehicle traffic if it is not limited The possibility that plateau lands will lose their natural appearance if farming lands used for crops and meadows and pastures used for animal husbandry are allocated to tourism The high likelihood of forest fires as a result of activities like picnicking that the local people and tourists engage within and around forests due to not taking measures

The local people’s possible reaction against planning and any kind of regulations regarding the plateau area by local administrations and the state institutions aimed at conservation (ban on construction, illegal tree wood cutting, restriction of grazing, checks on road network, regular dumping of garbage, limitation on building stories etc.) The villagers’ gradually losing the consciousness of common conservation and sharing due to a desire to get their share from the tourism and recreation industry and earn short term profits The gradual degeneration of local people’s traditional culture and social values in parallel to the development of tourism and recreation

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questioning the underlined purpose and goals of the study is also formed (Tables 1 and 2). In the area, together with the local community there are a lot of second resort owners. In addition to this, there are 1-day recreationists. Because of the differences among the aspects of three groups SWOT analysis method has been used.

Results and discussion Trade and transportation activities that began in the Lydian era took solid roots during the Ottomans and today have taken the form of mostly daily tourism and summer resort activities. In particular, the favorable landscape on ˘ natural beauties, and the opening the Bozdags, of Bozdag˘ Ski Center ensured the emergence of tourism activities, though limited initially, that might be developed in the area. Gölcük in this regard comes to the foreground as an important recreation area in its surrounding. The results of a series of seemingly significant archaeological and natural digs in and around the lake also add to the attraction of the area (Vardar 2002). While Gölcük Plateau settlement was initially known as a place where the inhabitants of the township of Zeytinlik, to which it was administratively tied, used for agricultural purposes and built ramshackle summer houses, in time it turned into an area where economic activities diminished and especially summer houses were built for leisure purposes. Factors such as the mild and cool climate there (temperature differences are a mere 5◦ to 6◦ ), the mountain weather which is conducive to human health, the climate’s bearing the optimum conditions for resting and sports, the lake’s aesthetic (scenery) and functional (hunting, swimming) importance, the natural beauty of the surrounding areas, the lush vegetation, its proximity to major settlements, ease of transport, its tranquil and peaceful atmosphere, open air sports facilities, cafes, and the existence of daily camping and picnic areas have all contributed to the construction of summer facilities at Gölcük for resting (Demirel 1988). In order to point out the benefits of the climate of mountain and forest areas on human health,

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˘ mass, Ülker (1988) stated that areas on Bozdags on which Gölcük Summer resort was settled, was one of the places where climate therapies were offered and emphasized the importance of this area’s being developed in terms of health tourism. Gölcük Summer Resort became a center of tourism via the luxurious second homes built by those who came for leisure purposes. Gölcük, having long been a place where people from the surrounding areas came, rented homes and stayed, is now on the way to becoming an important center of tourism with people coming from outside the area and the seasonal hotels and hostels. Gölcük Summer Resort and the coastline of the lake are ideal locations for recreational activities. Fishing in the lake, open air sports activities, tea houses, daily camping grounds, and hunting can be given as examples of these recreational activities. Gölcük has become a camping and training ground for football teams in recent years. The fresh air of the resort, serene atmosphere, appropriate training grounds for running and games are some of the other factors that add to the importance of Gölcük Resort in respect of tourism. A great majority of the visitors to Gölcük Resort come from close-by provinces and districts ˙ such as Ödemis, Salihli, Izmir, Manisa, Denizli, Turgutlu, and Ala¸sehir. However, though small in number, there are also those who come to the resorts from distant towns and cities. For example, ˙ besides cities like Istanbul, Ankara, and Bursa, visitors who went to countries such as Germany, the USA etc. to work and have family bonds with Ödemis and its surroundings come to the area as tourists, though very little in number. Those who come to the resort for purposes of tourism and therapy pass their summer holiday by renting houses, some others who come for shorter holidays rent rooms at hotels and hostels. Those who come at the weekend stay in the tents that they brought along. Daily visitors chiefly come on Saturdays and Sundays from very near towns like Salihli and Ala¸sehir. Aside from these, tours are also organized from close-by districts to Gölcük ˘ A large number of facilities such as and Bozdag. hotels, hostels, restaurants, and tea houses were built in the area to serve the visitors and tourists ˘ Another thing who come to Gölcük and Bozdag. that enlivens tourism activities are that football

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teams come to these resorts for camping. Still another one of the tourism activities in the research site is the market place called Kadınlar Pazarı, or Women’s Bazaar, set up in Gölcük although its original location is Ödemis district center. Artifacts made by local women are sold in this market. Another area of interest for tourists in the area is the Kavurmacı Suyu. Besides being a spa, this water is good to drink and the tea house built around this water source is frequented by both local and foreign tourists. Since Gölcük Resort is a true summer resort with diverse economic and recreation activities, it boats more than 1,500 second homes. Doubtless, those coming from nearby settlements (such as Zeytinlik and Ödemis) chiefly use their homes for their agricultural activities during the summer. However, there are also nearly 300 luxurious duplex and triplex villas around the lake which are comparable to the second homes by the sea (Soykan 1994; Demirel 1988). Another reason the existence of such a great number of second homes is the very existence of Lake Gölcük, which is itself a center of appeal. The unbelievably rich views presented by Lake Gölcük from Hill A and Painter’s Hill are really worth seeing. Lake Gölcük, which enjoys a privileged status at Gölcük Plateau Settlement (Summer Resort), faces an increasing threat of environmental pollution in parallel to the increase in the number of summer resorts around the lake. Lake Gölcük is located in the upper part of the Tabak Creek Basin. Total water volume of the lake is 9 m2 and situated at an elevation of 1,050– 1,358 m. The area of Lake Gölcük is 0.83 km2 . While its maximum was 10 m 35 years ago, it has dropped to 5 m now. In a study conducted in 1984, it was discovered that the bottom of the lake was covered with filling material residue for 14 m. As the lake’s drain, the Tabak Creek carries the extra water released in a controlled manner via a sluiceway in the north of the lake to the river Gediz. Lake Gölcük has a narrow water gathering area and a limited number of creeks that bring water to it. Örselli and Gedikdüzü creeks in the west of the lake and Kar¸sıyaka creek in the east carry their water to the lake during the wet win-

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ter and spring months. The average annual precipitation recorded as 698.5 mm in Ödemis and 492 mm in Salihli exceeds 1,000 mm around Lake Gölcük Basin. Especially the rains in winter months may reach up to 100 mm and during such rains, the creeks on slopes can carry enough water to ‘feed’ the lake. Fifty percent to 60% of the annual precipitation falls in winter months while a mere 2.5% falls in the summer. The number of days with snow varies between 5 and 13 days and snowfall appears as another source that feeds the lake. The water volume of the lake ranges between a maximum of 1,814,900 m3 and a minimum of 645,700 m3 . The annual change in the water level of the lake varies between 2.5 and 4 m (Vardar 2002). In the fields around the lake measuring 1,500 to 2,000 acres, potatoes are grown. The water needed for the irrigation of the crops grown around the lake is obtained from the lake. The intensive use of the lake water for farming increases the natural drop in the water level of the lake. In this period, water depth drops to 3 to 4 m and the ecological balance of the lake, which gets shallow, is affected negatively. Therefore, efforts are being made to save the lake by bringing water from the north through a pipe. Another important problem besides the drop in the water level is water pollution (contamination). Silt and biologic mass remnants that have been descending from the mountains and the lands around the lake in the floods for thousands of years have constantly caused a reduction in the lake’s depth and area and enabled reeds and aquatic plants to grow rapidly in the shallow lake waters that are rich in planktons. Significant increases have been observed in nitrite and phosphor values in the lake water and a mud layer of 11 m have accumulated at the bottom of the lake. Potato fields have been subjected to excessive use of fertilizers so as to increase yield, residues of fertilizers and agricultural chemicals were carried over to the lake through irrigation water or rain water and as a result the phenomenon of secondary contamination known as excessive algae growth “eutrophication” has occurred in the lake environment (Demirel 1992; Cirik and Cirik 1989).

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Furthermore, construction around the lake continues in an irregular and rapid manner, while the second homes built increases the amount of contamination in the lake with their household waste creating at the same an ugly sight in respect of aesthetics. On account of the fact that waste waters of houses, hotels, motels, restaurants, and the municipal slaughterhouse are collected at leaking cesspools (there are 28 canals that carrying wastes to the lake) and due to the permeability of soil, contamination in the lake is rising. The owners of the houses rising rapidly around the lake have wells dug in their gardens to obtain water for irrigating their gardens and drinking, which means that they use the underground water in the area, or to put it more appropriately they use the lake water indirectly. The circumference of Lake Gölcük is 4 km and it is a water source where freshwater fishing can be performed. Owing to excessive and irregular fishing in the lake, freshwater crawfish, carp, and salmon, which used to live in the lake, diminished almost next to nothing and therefore fishing with net has been prohibited. The garbage in Bozdag and Gölcük is collected by tractors, dumped in nearby areas and left to decay. It has been observed that garbage accumulates by the lake due to the wastes left by the recreation areas located around the lake and used for daily picnicking (tea gardens, picnic grounds, children’s playgrounds, cycling paths, fishing sites etc.) as well as the hotels, hostels, and restaurants and serious efforts are made towards proper disposal of these wastes. The forests in the area, composed predominantly of P. nigra and P. brutia, are under serious threat because local people cut down trees illegally for firewood and as timber while chestnut and walnut trees are cut down to be used in the furniture industry. Moreover, soils taken from around the roots of the trees in the leafy forests consisting chiefly of chestnut and walnut trees are upsetting the forest ecosystem day by day. Previously known as a plateau settlement, Gölcük is on the way to becoming an important summer resorts in the future with its increasing number of second homes and tourism-oriented construction. These construction activities, how-

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ever, bring about an increase in population, intensive use of sources, and hence pollution. The issue of pollution (contamination) stems from a lack of proper delivery of services and poor control. Abuses and errors made heedlessly on this still pristine landscape began to be felt. Instead of waiting for all the beauties and the environment to perish as is the case with all coastal cities and holiday resorts in Turkey, it would be wise to tackle the issue these days when it is only just beginning. Certain dangers are awaiting this area, which has been opened to tourism. In order to prevent these problems or reduce them to a minimum, the balance between conservation and use should be well observed. The lake itself is the most important for the tourist visiting the area. Nonetheless, it does not seem very likely to survive under these circumstances and as long as such abuses continue. The ecological balance of the lake is upset through excessive drainage of water from the lake, extensive and heedless use of fertilizers, irregular and rapid construction, and silt accumulation that is brought along with the floods and the phenomenon of pollution is getting worse. Therefore, it is essential that the sources of pollution and degradation on Lake Gölcük and the measures to be taken be determined. A general strategy should be determined in order to preserve the virgin natural riches of Gölcük Plateau. Within the scope of this preservation strategy; •

•

In order to prevent the lake’s bottom from filling with silt and the soils in the surrounding fields being carried away with floods, walls should be built on the routes from which floods come and in front of the fields by roadside and tree planting efforts should be increased to prevent erosion. The lake’s ecosystem is being upset as consequence of the fertilizers and agricultural chemicals used in the potato fields adjacent to the lake reaching up to 2,000 acres and the irrigation activities there. Therefore, a new plant pattern should be determined for the lake, potato farming should be restricted, drip irrigation method which helps save up to 60%

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of the water and the use of fertilizers and chemicals should be under the supervision of agricultural engineers. Especially, within the framework of the development of agricultural tourism ecologic farming should be started by educating farmers in this regard. In order to stop the excessive and irregular construction around the lake, the existing development plan should be abolished and further construction should be allowed in accordance with the “Development Plan for Conservation” that will be passed. Cesspools should be so built that they should not leak, and all the facilities should release their waste waters into the lake after refining them in accordance with the “Water Contamination Control Regulation” published in the Official Gazette no. 19919 dated September 4, 1988. The construction of nonleaking cesspools has been obligatory by virtue of this regulation since 1990. A restriction should be brought on random boring of artesian wells by the owners of the houses and all the other facilities and they should not be allowed to draw water from the lake. Fishing in the lake should be brought under control with an eye to preserving the aquatic life and ensuring the continuation of their species. In addition, some nearby creeks should be connected to the lake so that the level of water in the lake will rise. The fact that the number of those who come to the lake on Saturdays and Sundays for amateur fishing reaches 150 to 200 daily is a contribution to the domestic tourism of Lake Gölcük that should not be underestimated. The low number of fish in the lake has removed the Lake Gölcük from the destination of amateur fishermen. Therefore, by releasing millions of baby carps obtained from a carpbreeding facility that will be built by lakeside will support the stock of carp species in the lake and Lake Gölcük once again gain its status as a lake frequented by professional and amateur fishermen. On the other hand, the very cold waters of the creeks in the area create an ideal atmosphere

for trout breeding but no efforts are observed in this regard. It is observed that the existing landscape at Gölcük Plateau began to change and diversify gradually during the past 10 years when tourism activities started to increase. As a result of both the quantitative increase in second homes and uses that extended over to natural areas, the beauties of pristine views, the area’s prominent lines and shapes began to assume a gradually differing appearance. No doubt hotels and hostels, restaurants, and tea houses constructed of material harmful to the environment that were built to cater to the needs of the local and foreign tourists coming to the area are to blame for this to a great extent. While tourism activities in Gölcük are increasing with each passing year, they also bring along the danger of extensive concrete construction. Such buildings built by contractors as second homes of material harmful to the environment constitute the first examples of concrete construction in Gölcük. Rather than constructing new buildings at Gölcük Plateau by observing the conservation–use balance, maximum use should be made of the existing facilities and second homes and rapid development should not be permitted. The fact that recreation and tourism activities performed by both those who stay at hotels and hostels during the summer months and proprietors of second homes and those who come for daily or weekend picnicking are activities that have been performed traditionally for years (having walks, sitting at tea houses, chatting, picnicking, catching fish with a fishing line, and barbecuing) and that an visitor profile sensitive to the environment has been created are the main sources of the problem. It is important that a strategy that will make them a conscious tourist or a recreationist sensitive to environmental values be prepared and adopted by all the parties (administration/planning authority, NGOs, and local people). If this is achieved, environmental pollution and more importantly human erosion will be prevented. In the light of all natural and cultural data related to Lake Gölcük and its environs, different kinds of tourism should be developed so as

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to strengthen the area economically. Extending tourism to a whole year by diversifying it will increase the use of the area for tourism and recreation outside of summer months and it will also be possible to spread revenues to a whole year. When data belonging to the area are examined, the kinds of tourism that can be developed (Soykan 1994; Demirel 1998) are health tourism (climate therapy centers, physical therapy centers—mountainous and forested areas’ healthpreserving and health-giving properties), sports tourism (long distance trekking, mountaineering, hunting, horse-riding, lawn-skiing, camping etc., topography, climate and elevation presenting interesting levels for sports, the existence of water sources and wildlife etc.), agricultural tourism (traditional agricultural activities, local economic endeavors, offering of village boarding facilities in summer resort homes, potato planting and harvesting, fruit picking etc.), youth tourism, nature schools (summer camps for students, training, forest classes/green class, youth leisure facilities, nature sports clubs, bungalows, hostels, country accommodation facilities, scouting activities-in the natural climate provided by nature and forests they get to know nature and develop an awareness of nature, activities in which children and youths participate in a natural environment contribute positively to their psycho-pedagogic development, they discover natural, cultural, and historical features/organization of working and leisure activities such as restoration, production, and farming). By virtue of the decision of Izmir Committee no. 2 for Conservation of Cultural and Natural Values dated 21 January, 2004, Lake Gölcük and its surroundings were designated as “Archaeological Site”. Although the designation of the area with its ancient archaeological and historical values as an archaeological site is a positive step towards conservation, declaration of a natural site in the area, which has more important resources in respect of natural values, is of higher priority. Therefore, a general environmental conservation strategy should be determined in order to preserve intact natural values of Gölcük Plateau. Efforts to have Lake Gölcük and its surroundings designated a natural site are underway. Within this framework, natural and cultural resources of the

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area should be planned in respect of tourism and recreation and it should be implemented to bring economic benefits to the area.

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