Global Attention to Turkey Due to Desertification

Abstract

Desertification has recognized as an environmental problem by many international organizations such as UN, NATO and FAO. Desertification in Turkey is generally caused by incorrect land use, excessive grazing, forest fires, urbanization, industry, genetic erosion, soil erosion, salinization, and uncontrolled wild type plants picking. Due to anthropogenic destruction of forest, steppe flora gradually became dominant in Anatolia. In terms of biodiversity, Turkey has a significant importance in Europe and Middle East. Nine thousands plant species naturally grown in Turkey, one third of them are endemic. Also, endemic species of vertebrates, thrive in the lakes and marshy areas. The studies of modelling simulation of vegetation on the effects of Mediterranean climate during the Roman Classical period by using vegetation history showed that, in 2000 years BP, Mediterranean countries were more humid than today. Turkey is a special place on the global concern in terms of desertification because of biodiversity, agricultural potential, high population, social and economical structure, topographical factors and strategic regional location. Communication among scientists, decision makers and international non-profit organizations must be improved.

Comparison of Aggregate Stability Measurement Methods for Clay‐rich Soils in Asartepe Catchment of Turkey

“…About 73% of cultivated land and 68% of prime agricultural land are prone to erosion. Estimates of soil erosion potentials in this region suggest that more than 75% of land in Turkey is at risk of erosion (Ozden et al, 2000;Cetin et al, 2007).…”

Exploring co-extinction correlates: the effects of habitat, biogeography and anthropogenic factors on ground squirrels–dung beetles associations

“…Changes in land use may render prone to extinction sousliks and their whole community (Weddell 1991). Nowadays, mechanized agriculture and overgrazing are quickly altering the natural landscape of Turkey (Tanrivermis 2003;Evrendilek et al 2004;Camci Ç etin et al 2007;Taşeli 2007) and the insect fauna of this country is probably becoming species-poorer and more homogeneous as observed in the rest of the world, with the loss of specialized taxa (Samways 1996). Many Palaearctic dung beetles exploit the dung of large herbivores and are widespread, usually due to the historical spread of livestock by humans (Carpaneto et al 2007;Zamora et al 2007;Jay-Robert et al 2008).…”

A Case for Assessing Allocasuarina and Casuarina Spp. For Use in Agroecosystem Improvement in Semi-Arid Areas With a Focus on Central Anatolia, Turkey

“…However, it is not inconceivable that localized effects of deforestation [10] also contributed to Anatolian agroecosystems being vulnerable to climate change. With Anatolia now seen as being at particular risk from anthropogenic climate change and other human impacts [18,39] , it should be a priority region for agroecosystem improvement. There is not only an economic impetus for this, but it would also help conserve Central Anatolian flora [40] and fauna.…”

“…The planting of woody pioneers for semi-arid area restoration, although a long-term strategy, is an approach that should be the subject of more consideration and research. For the Central Anatolian context, the concern is that without action, current trends, accelerated by global warming, could lead to widespread desertification [18,19] . Given that Turkey does not currently have deserts (Table 1), the native woody pioneers are less likely to be suitable for succession restoration than species from more arid countries.…”