This paper investigates the determining land use changes in the Eastern Black Sea region of Turkey. Changes in land cover were analyzed using aerial photography from 1955-2002 within a Geographic Information System. As for method, digital photogrammetric techniques with high accuracy could be used to monitor land use/cover changes by comparing old and new aerial images. To implement the method successfully and display the results, three case study areas were selected and evaluated regarding the historical changes and land use capabilities of the land converted to forest areas: 1/35,000, 1/23,000 scale black and white (for the 1973 and 1982 periods) and 1/16,000 scale infrared aerial photographs (for the 2002 period), taken in 1955, 1973, 1982, and 2002, were assessed by scanning with 21-micron geometric resolution. These images were interpreted by using photogrammetric software and historical status of forested areas, and change detection were easily determined in digital form. It is found that while forest cover within the forest reserve has remained stable or increased, there has been a steady decline in forest cover outside the forest reserve's boundaries. It is also seen that human land use activities have been basic factors in shaping land cover change during the 50-year period.
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