Nature Reserves and Biodiversity in Turkey and Related Policy Measures Along With Joining the Eu

Abstract

The biological status and the different ecosystems enable a superior biodiversity in Turkey. It is estimated that the number of the animal species amounts to 70-80,000 incl. the invertebrates. The number of seeded plants is more than 10,000, of which over 3,000 are endemic. This abundance of organisms is a result of the continental situation of Turkey. The biodiversity in Turkey can only be sustained if the habitats of the organisms are protected. In order to meet these requirements, 3.7 million hectares land with 4,056 nature reserves have been protected during the last 50 years. This area corresponds to 4.8% of the entire country. But the protected area has to be increased to 7% to meet the figure of the other European Countries. For doing so, environmental education of Turkish population is required. In this paper, examples are given for species and their habitats, the protected areas, and measures taken to sustain the biodiversity and the nature reserves, and to meet the requirements along with the Turkish membership in the European Union.