Protecting landscape as a network of relations: Challenges and perspectives in the case of Imerhev (Meydancik) Valley, Turkey

Identifying and protecting a network of relations is challenging since it deals with natural and social processes, but it is essential for a comprehensive understanding of landscapes. Rural areas are the best representatives of networks of relations in landscapes due to direct interactions with nature through economic activities and traditional socio-cultural practices. However, today, rural landscapes encounter forces leading to major changes. In order to overcome these forces, a landscape approach is required to provide integrated, unitary and comprehensive approaches in identification, protection, management and planning of landscapes. Imerhev Valley is selected as a case study. It has multiple values characterized by traditional practices, but is encountering forces of change both in its natural and cultural landscape. In this regard, this paper first describes the landscape as a network of relations and applies the approach to the selected case study. As the second step, the paper focuses on the dynamics and drivers of change. Finally, the paper identifies key issues of challenges that have to be addressed in protecting landscape values.