Termites (Isoptera) are among the most globally dominant macroinvertebrates in terrestrial environments and are an ecologically important group of soil biota in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. These insects function as essential ecosystem engineers that facilitate nutrient cycling, especially in the regulation of the physical and chemical properties of soil and the decomposition of organic matter that maintains heterogeneity in tropical and subtropical ecosystems. Termites, like all living organisms, require certain environmental parameters to support the distribution, abundance, and activities of the species. South Africa’s Kruger National Park (KNP)—one of the most important protected areas in the world and a popular safari tourist destination—is an extraordinary savanna ecosystem in which termite mounds, or termitaria, are widely distributed. A range of biotic and abiotic factors found in the natural environment of KNP provide highly suitable ecological conditions for termite habitat range, and thus the development of termitaria. Previous research has shown that the most important factors affecting habitat suitability for termites and the geographic distribution of termitaria include climate factors, land cover, and other environmental characteristics such as soil composition and plant-litter biomass. However, the specific environmental mechanisms that regulate termite occurrence and the spatial distribution of termitaria in KNP are not fully understood, especially in the context of climate and land-cover changes. The present study examines the relationship between the spatial distribution of termitaria and selected climate and environmental factors in the Kruger Lowveld region, which contains one of the largest numbers of termitaria in KNP. Using high-resolution satellite imagery, 8200 training points of termitaria occurrence were collected throughout the study area to train classifiers and produce land-cover-classification maps for the Kruger Lowveld region of interest. We then applied a hybrid approach through the integration of remote sensing (RS) and a GIS-based analytical hierarchy process (AHP) and frequency-ratio (FR) methods to model the relationship between the spatial distribution of termitaria and selected environmental variables and to produce suitability maps. To our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to examine the influence of combined sets of environmental attributes on the spatial distribution of termitaria in the Lowveld region of KNP. The results indicate that moderately and highly suitable conditions for termite range tolerance and termitaria development are correlated with undulating plains with clay soils, greater distance to drainage streams, high solar radiation, and low depth of groundwater. The findings of this study shed light on the need for future research that investigates the impact of climate and land-cover changes on termite habitat range and spatial distribution and that can inform park managers and policymakers about Kruger National Park and other protected areas with similar environmental conditions.

This study evaluates the susceptibility of the coastal regions on the Thrace Peninsula to sea-level rise (SLR) and the corresponding vulnerability to climate change. To achieve this, a high-resolution digital elevation model with a 5 m granularity was used to apply the Coastal Vulnerability Index, adjusted for region-specific coastal sensitivity factors. Various global mean sea-level rise scenarios were examined for the near-term (2020–2050), mid-term (2050–2100), and long-term (2100–2300) to assess the impact of SLR. The examination of the immediate consequences of SLR on coastal areas included the analysis of land cover characteristics in the near-term. Results indicate that the Thrace Peninsula is highly susceptible to natural and socio-economic hazards caused by SLR. The concentration of population and socio-economic activities in coastal regions is a primary contributing factor to this vulnerability. In addition, hydrodynamic models are used to enhance understanding of the effects of SLR. The study reveals limited preparedness for planned adaptations to SLR in the region. The data highlight the crucial necessity for policymakers, researchers, and stakeholders to collaborate in executing strategic interventions and proactive initiatives. Upholding the ecological, economic, and societal welfare of the Thrace Peninsula, as well as comparable areas, necessitates addressing both the vulnerability and resilience of immediate coastal regions.

Arazi kullanım faaliyetlerinin sürdürülebilir bir insan-çevre ekosistemine zarar verip vermediği sorusu bütünleşik insan-çevre sistemleri hakkındaki en temel sorulardan biridir. Bu nedenle, beşerî ve çevre bilimciler, Uzaktan Algılama ve Coğrafi Bilgi Sistemleri yöntemlerini kullanarak insan-çevre sistemlerinin ortak bir payda olan mekânsal temelde entegrasyonunu araştırmaktadırlar. Bu kapsamda 1960'lardan itibaren, farklı türden mekânsal sorunları çözmek için çeşitli yöntemler ve araçlar geliştirilmektedir. Bunun sonucunda ‘Arazi Değişim Bilimi’ kavramı, 21. yüzyılda arazi dinamiklerini çevresel değişimler ve küresel iklim değişikliği ile ilişkili olarak inceleyen disiplinlerarası bir bilim dalı olarak ortaya çıkmıştır. Öte yandan, Anadolu Yarımadası çoğunlukla kurak ve yarı kurak iklim özelliğine sahip olmasına ve arazi kullanım dinamiklerinden yoğun bir şekilde etkilenmesine rağmen, Arazi Değişim Bilimi kavramının literatürde yer almadığı görülmüştür. Bu çalışma, Arazi Değişim Bilimi alanında yapılmış olan güncel araştırmaları inceleyerek sentezlemiş ve bu alandaki bir açığı kapatmaya yardımcı olmuştur.