An Ecological Status Analysis of Urban Streams Using the Example of Ankara River

Abstract

A consequence of erratic and rapid urbanization has been to destroy nature instead of taking advantage of it. This has meant that the structure of water systems in urban areas has become degraded and detached from the city, which in turn has led to stream flow regime changes, flood increases with infiltration decrease, groundwater level decreases, deterioration in stream biology and reduction in recreational value. The aim of the study is to reemphasize, taking an ecological viewpoint, the sustainable value of the rivers, following the pressure they have undergone due to urbanization. In this reevaluation, the river was considered as having two components: a water zone and an edge zone, within which the evaluation channel structure and the natural riverbed in the water zone were examined. The edge zone was divided into five different regions, according to urban density, and the effects of the uses of the land in terms of ecological indicators were calculated. Quantitative evaluation and key process analysis, based on land uses, have revealed that rapid urbanization and intensive agricultural activities have had a detrimental effect on the ecological qualities of Ankara Stream. It has been determined that the ecological potential for recovery is 21% for the short-term restoration plan, and 65% for the longterm restoration plan, and, as a result, environmental planning and management strategies have been introduced for the recovery of Ankara River for the benefit of both the environment and the city.

Keywords

• ankara river
• stream corridor
• ecology
• landscape restoration
• urban design
• watershed
• ankara