Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND ECOLOGY, cilt.18, sa.1, ss.225-234, 2017 (SCI-Expanded)
Nature parks are among the four protected areas declared with National Parks Law No 2873 in Turkey. As of 01.03.2016, 203 nature parks have been announced. These areas have outstanding natural phytogeographical structure, flora and wildlife, natural landscape areas and recreational potential. In particular, they allow for different utilisations in terms of outdoor recreation. Sera lake located in Akcaabat (Trabzon) has been become prominent thanks to its peculiar resource values. It was formed as a result of large rocks falling off the slope and blocking the valley floor in 1950. In 2010, it was declared as a Nature Park by Nature Conservation and National Parks General Directorate due to its natural vegetation, fish fauna and presence of water. Being within easy reach of people due to its location where water and waterfront recreation, trekking and passive recreational activities can be performed, It is unfortunately confronted with irreversible environmental risks caused by utilisation. In this paper, socio-demographic structure of the users has been measured and the link between utilization tendency and environmental problems has been set forth through observation and interviews. Based on the obtained results, suggestions have been made in terms of ecological and socio-economic structure for recovery the area.