Biodiversity and conservation of Turkish forests
Zeki Kaya* and Dudley J. Raynal1
*Department of Biological Sciences, Middle East Technical University, 06531 Ankara, Turkey
1 College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, 350 Illick Hall, 1 Forestry Drive, Syracuse, NY 13210-2788, USA.
The rapid human population growth of Turkey and associated demands on natural resources threaten the biodiversity of the nation's natural ecosystems, including forests. Though limited to about 26% of the total land area of the country, maintaining healthy forests is vital to support sustainable development in Turkey. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the current status of Turkey's forests, present the national objectives for forest conservation and sustainable use, and describe the actions needed to protect forest biodiversity. While Turkey has numerous laws, regulations, and programmes that seek to promote biodiversity, implementation of these guidelines requires increased commitment and vigilance. Conservation programmes should be increased in number and effectiveness, particularly in light of increasing demand for forest products. Management plans for all conservation programmes require completion and implementation. Creating monitoring programs and building quantitative databases for conservation programs will be essential to assess future success in maintaining biodiversity. Conservation of natural resources requires public education and promoting awareness of the vital role of maintaining a healthy environment for sustainable development. Agroforestry endeavors can provide practical means of meeting both environmental protection and agricultural product production goals.
Keywords: Forest ecosystems; Forest resources; Agroforestry; Turkish forests
*Presenting author: Tel: +90-312-210-5177; fax: +90-312-210-7976; email: kayaz@metu.edu.tr
