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Evaluation of the suitability of sites for outdoor recreation using a multi-criteria assessment model

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Abstract

The determination of the suitability of a site for recreation is a complex process that requires the integration of several criteria. The main aim of the current study carried out in the Eğirdir district of southern Turkey was to determine the most suitable zones for outdoor recreation by applying new methodological approach. Large volumes of spatial data and multiple criteria were assessed simultaneously by utilising the linear combination technique and a hierarchical analysis in association with GIS to rank the suitability of a mosaic of contiguous, semi-natural sites for outdoor recreation. According to obtained results, 33.1% was deemed very suitable or suitable for outdoor recreational activities, whereas 25.8% was determined as less suitable and 41.1% not suitable for outdoor recreation place in the study area. In addition, in order to investigate temporal changes in human activities, land use and land cover detection analysis was performed for the period 1988 to 2016 inclusive. The number of potential recreational sites increased over time, based on the increased amount of forested and grassed areas. On the other hand, increasing artificial area and decreasing shrub lands caused reduction of the potential recreational sites during the 28-year period.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Gregory T. Sullivan of the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, for proofreading and comments on an earlier version of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Black Sea Agricultural Research Institute, Samsun, Turkey

    Celal Dağıstanlı

  2. Department of Geography, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Giresun University, Giresun, Turkey

    İnci Demirağ Turan

  3. Agricultural Faculty, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey

    Orhan Dengiz

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  1. Celal Dağıstanlı
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  2. İnci Demirağ Turan
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  3. Orhan Dengiz
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Correspondence to Orhan Dengiz.

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Dağıstanlı, C., Turan, İ.D. & Dengiz, O. Evaluation of the suitability of sites for outdoor recreation using a multi-criteria assessment model. Arab J Geosci 11, 492 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12517-018-3856-0

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