Uluslararası Çevresel Eğilimler Dergisi

Abstract

This research investigates the century-long climatic evolution of Isparta, a key province in southwestern Turkey, by analyzing meteorological data from 1929 to 2024. Utilizing long-term records of temperature (mean, minimum, maximum), precipitation, relative humidity, and the annual distribution of rainy and sunny days, the study explores how global climate variability is reflected in Isparta’s local environmental conditions. The findings suggest that Isparta has experienced a subtle but persistent rise in mean temperatures, particularly evident during the spring and summer months. However, temperature increases were not uniform, and fluctuations often aligned with large-scale climate anomalies. Precipitation data, while not showing a significant linear trend, reveal growing unpredictability — including abrupt shifts between dry and wet years — complicating agricultural planning and groundwater recharge. A modest decline in humidity levels and changes in sunshine duration patterns were also detected, pointing to shifts in atmospheric stability. Notably, the number of frost-free days has increased, potentially affecting crop cycles and pest activity. Although most individual climate parameters did not display strong linear trends, their combined impact indicates a gradual climatic transition with tangible local consequences. This study underscores Isparta’s vulnerability as a transitional zone between Mediterranean and continental climate systems. By offering a localized and century-spanning climate profile, the research provides essential input for regional adaptation strategies in agriculture, ecosystem management, and urban development. The results contribute to broader efforts to understand climate dynamics in climatically diverse inland regions and highlight the need for forward-looking, place-based environmental policy.