Abstract:

In this study; In the Çıldır Lake Basin, which is located between the Çıldır-Arpaçay districts in the northeast of Turkey, the relations between climate and socioeconomic structure were examined with an applied climatology approach. Purposes of the study are to classify of the basin climate, to determinate of the temporal changes of temperature and precipitation, and to associate them with socioeconomic activities. To that end; fieldworks were carried out and climate classifications were made. With Mann-Kendall trend analysis; the changes and significance levels in parameters such as monthly and annual average, maximum and minimum temperature and precipitation were determined. “Thermo Hygrometric Index” was used to determine the climatic comfort conditions of the basin. Temperature and precipitation distribution maps of the basin were produced with the Lapse Rate method. The average temperature of Çıldır Lake Basin varies between 6 and -8°C. Winters are cold and snowy and summers are short, cool and rainy because of the Siberian origin cP air masses, altitude and continentally. Regarding climatic comfort; July and August are in the “comfortable category”, while the other months are in the “very cold, cold and cool category”. Trend analysis in the region shows a significant increase trend in monthly and annual temperatures and precipitation. This situation in the region changes the vegetation period, agriculture, tourism and transhumance calendar. It is predicted that temperature and precipitation changes in the basin will increase thunderstorms. Therefore; erosion and floods may be triggered because of the heavy rains.

Keywords: