Özet:

The aim of this study is to develop a conceptual framework that can assist in selecting and filtering a set of sustainable landscape development indicators for North Cyprus. Such indicators can provide opportunities to understand, monitor, measure and evaluate whether we are on the path towards sustainable development in the region or not. The method of the study was based upon a review of relevant studies. In the first section of the study, the concept of sustainable landscape development is examined in terms of improving the quality of life while landscapes maintain their functions. This evaluation shows that sustainable landscape development should include five pillars (environmental, economic, social, political and aesthetic sustainability) to achieve a balance between human and ecological systems. The second section of the study focuses on the types and relevance of indicators for sustainable landscape development. This assessment shows that multi-functional landscape development indicators are needed for evaluating landscape pressures, conditions and potential responses. Development and implementation of such indicators can contribute to the long-term viability of the interaction between biodiversity conservation, agricultural production and survival of local livelihoods in North Cyprus. In the last section, a comprehensive set of sustainable landscape development indicators is proposed for North Cyprus. These indicators include: environment (e.g. number of vascular plant species), economy (e.g. diversity in agricultural land types), socio-culture (e.g. degree of access to clean drinking water), visual (e.g. degree of aesthetic pleasing), policy (e.g. degree of effective implementation of the European Landscape Convention) and green infrastructure (e.g. trends in rainwater harvesting at community level). It is expected that the proposed indicators can serve as a benchmark for policy-makers and natural resource managers in terms of sustainable use of natural resources, ecological, economic and socio-cultural development in North Cyprus.

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