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Assessing idle lands for biodiversity and sustainability: A GIS-based plant suitability approach in the protected areas of Çeşme, Turkey

ecosystem-science
soil-science
natural-resource-management

Abstract

Protected areas face increasing pressure to balance conservation goals with human use, making the sustainable management of idle lands within these landscapes a critical challenge. This study aims to evaluate the potential of idle forest and agricultural lands for biodiversity enhancement and sustainable land use in the protected areas of Çeşme, Turkey. Using a GIS-based approach, land cover data, soil group maps, and protected area classifications were integrated to generate Plant Suitability Maps (PSMs). Eight thematic maps were produced to identify suitable plant species based on soil depth, slope, erosion degree, and land capability classes. The results revealed that utilizing idle agricultural lands could provide a 36% ecological contribution, while idle forest lands accounted for 17%. Proposed species include medicinal and aromatic plants, erosion-preventing species, and economically valuable perennials that support beekeeping and agro-tourism. The findings highlight that integrating idle land use into conservation strategies can strengthen biodiversity, improve ecosystem services, and provide socio-economic benefits for local communities. This GIS-based methodology offers a transferable framework for sustainable land management in Mediterranean and other protected regions worldwide.
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