Toros Polyelerinin Morfometrik Özellikleri

Abstract

Poljes, which represents the largest and relatively the most complex karst forms, are one of the most characteristic and widespread features in the karst terrains of the Taurus Mountains. Although poljes have been one of the most studied landforms in the Anatolian karst, except for a few studies, no particular attention has been directed to provide a quantitative study on the morphometry and spatial distribution of poljes. In this study, an attempt has been made to present a comprehensive account of the basic morphometric characteristics and spatial distribution of the poljes within the karst regions in the Taurus karst belt, based on the critical review of the previous literature and detailed map studies. In this respect, 680 topographic maps, 1;25.000 scales with 10 m contour intervals, were analyzed and the 175 poljes were mapped. A data set based on the determination of morphometric parameters of the poljes was prepared, including X and Y centroid coordinates, the elevation of the floors above mean sea level, area, perimeter length, short and long axis lengths, elongation ratio, and circularity index. Within the scope of this dataset, the spatial distribution of the basic morphometric properties of poljes and the main factors controlling these properties were evaluated and interpreted. Most of the poljes in the Taurus karst belt are found in the area within the Isparta Angle located in the Western and Central Taurus. Most of the polje floor elevation (90%) is about between 447 and 1865 m above mean sea level though they are distributed in various elevations. Some poljes cover rather large areas, but the majority (65%) of them have a surface area of not more than 10 km sq. Due to the hydrological and tectonic characteristics of poljes, the circularity index values increase up to 28 and the elongation ratio values up to 9. The circularity index reaches higher values in fluvio-karst poljes dominated by fluvial processes, whereas the elongation ratio is higher in tectonically controlled poljes.