Bio-diversity

The Akyatan Wildlife Development Area, located within the borders of Adana s Karatas district, received protection status in 1987. The site, covering an area of 15.304 ha, includes the largest dunes ecosystems located in Turkey, extending over 22 km along the Mediterranean coastline and reaching, in some sections, a width of 3-4 km. This site is at the same time the most prolific, and therefore important, nesting beach for the globally endangered marine turtle (Chelonia mydas). The Akyatan Forest, covering an area of 2,018 ha and providing a natural border to the sand dunes system, was developed during afforestation work undertaken between 1972-1987 (Regional Environment and Forestry Directorate of Adana). The area, under the jurisdiction of the Regional Environment and Forestry Directorate and tightly controlled by the Nature Protection and National Parks Department, is closed to hunting and subsequently subject to very limited human pressure. However natural predation of the jackal population on the green turtle nests is the greatest threat faced by this endangered species. Special measures should be taken to decrease the impact of this threat. It must be noted that this area offers a complex network of plant diversity, dunes system, wildlife and forest habitats. The lagoon is a Ramsar site and Important Bird Area, while the beach section is under the 1. Degree Natural SIT status and Official Marine Turtle Nesting Site. The whole area is under the Wildlife Development Area protection status. The Seyhan Delta is an Important Plant Area (IPA No: 76). However the areas around the protected areas are under increasing threat and it is assumed that the Wildlife Protected Area will be affected by this in the near future. It is important at this stage to increase the awareness of the local population on the values of biodiversity and the threatened species living in the area in order to receive their support for their conservation. It is therefore very important to assess and develop a comprehensive and visual study of the fauna to increase the capacity of the villagers. A photographic inventory of the species living in this site is important to that end. By doing this and by providing the right tools to the local villagers to make them realize the opportunities linked to nature conservation and its future impact on the local economy it is foreseen that the pressure on the protected area will decrease. The village s headman (muhtar) is supportive of the project. The project outcomes are as follows: Monitoring and conservation of marine turtles Visual assessment of wildlife and preparation of a report Capacity building and awareness raising activities in the local communities to highlight the possible economic opportunities in relation to this site.

Turkey