“Small Protected Areas” for Conservation Priorities in South Anatolia (Başkonuş Mountain-Kahramanmaraş)

Year 2018, Volume: 77 Issue: 2, 89 - 96, 02.12.2018

Mine Kocyigit , Serpil Demirci Kayıran

Abstract

DOI: 10.26650/EurJBiol.2018.0013

Objective: The Başkonuş Mountain (Kahramanmaraş) is located in the transition zone of Irano-Turan and Mediterranean plant geographical regions and in the southern part of the Anatolian Diagonal. A specific region in the East Mediterranean basin consists of an area that holds great biological importance and is a world hotspot. In this study, the small protected areas of the Başkonuş Mountain were determined. Materials and Methods: A total of 17 endemic and 9 rare taxa were selected based on their IUCN statutes, altitudes, and habitats. Their GPS coordinates were loaded on a computer and digitized in a map projection system. Distributions of the selected taxa were marked on a topographic map in the scale of 1/25.000. The 26 maps were overlapped so that the areas of plant biodiversity could be observed on the map.

Results: Six small protected areas were defined on the Başkonuş Mountain. Several threats and conservation suggestions were presented in this study.

Conclusion: Local data about biodiversity sources are limited. Thus, conservation biologists and government offices should play active roles in formal educational settings and employ alternative methods to the community in Kahramanmaraş.

Keywords

Başkonuş Mountain, small protected areas, biodiversity, Turkey

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