Environ Monit Assess DOI 10.1007/s10661-009-0749-4 Sustainable natural resource management and environmental assessment in the Salt Lake (Tuz Golu) Specially Protected Area Orhan Dengiz · Hesna Ozcan · E. Selim Koksal · Oguz Baskan · Yakup Kosker Received: 24 August 2008 / Accepted: 15 January 2009 © Springer Science + Business Media B.V. 2009 Abstract The Salt Lake Specially Protected Area is a unique ecosystem for both agricultural acti- vities and natural life in Turkey. In the present study, an attempt was made to develop a concep- tual land use strategy and methodology, taking into account ecological factors for regional devel- opment in the Salt Lake Specially Protected Area. A detailed Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis was done to create a comprehensive data- base including land use, land suitability, and en- vironmental factors (soil, climate, water quality, fertilizing status, and heavy metal and pesticide pollution). The results of the land suitability sur- vey for agricultural use showed that, while 62.6% of the study area soils were classified as best and relatively good, about 15% were classified as problematic and restricted lands, only 22.2% of the study area soils were not suitable for agri- cultural uses. However, this is not enough to de- rive maximum benefit with minimum degradation. Therefore, environmental factors and ecological O. Dengiz (B ) Department of Soil Science, Agriculture Faculty, University of Ondokuz Mayıs, 55139, Kurupelit Samsun, Turkey e-mail: odengiz@omu.edu.tr H. Ozcan · E. S. Koksal · O. Baskan · Y. Kosker Agricultural Ministry, Ankara Research Institute, Ankara, Turkey conditions were combined to support this aim and to protect the ecosystem. Excessive irriga- tion practices, fertilizer and pesticide application, and incorrect management practices all acceler- ate salinization and degradation. In addition to this, it was found that a multi-layer GIS analysis made it easy to develop a framework for optimum land use and could increase the production yield preserving the environmental conditions. Finally, alternative management and crop patterns were undertaken to sustain this unique ecosystem, con- sidering water, soil, climate, land use character- istics, and to provide guidance for planners or decision makers. Keywords Environmental assessment · Natural resource management · Land evaluation · Salt Lake (Tuz Golu) · GIS and RS Introduction The current environmental situation is a major concern in political, social, cultural, and academic communities throughout the world (Barandela 1997). In order to supply the food requirements of a steadily increasing world population, pressure on natural resources has been raised by human activities causing a decrease in productivity and biodiversity. These ecological changes affect not