Wildlife
Turkey has many animal species in its territory: more than 80,000 have been recorded. In comparison, there are about 60,000 species in the whole of Europe. Among the Turkish species, there are about 114 mammals. Squirrels, rabbits and hamsters are the most common rodent families. But the country is also home to other animals more imposing: among them are the brown bear, the caracal, the wolf and the lynx. Also reptiles and amphibians (150 species), including various endemic species such as the lizard of Kayseri and Kars, the salamander of Antalya or the frogs of Taurus and Tavas. As for the loggerhead turtle, also known as Caretta caretta, it has been preserved thanks to the efforts made to save it. It can be found on the shores of the Aegean and the Mediterranean and is very popular in the country.
Turkey has a very large number of native and migratory bird species. Nearly 400 species can be observed in the country, which places Turkey in a good position among birding paradises. If you are lucky, you may even see the black vulture, which has completely disappeared in Europe.
The country's location between Europe and Asia makes it a major migratory crossroads for birds. In spring, whole groups of birds move to cooler lands, offering an incredible spectacle of aerial ballets in the sky. Some of them stay in Turkey and take refuge in the country's lakes, such as the Sultan Marshes (Sultan Sazlığı) in the Develi Plain. The knowledgeable amateur will be able to observe ducks, geese, cormorants, storks, cranes. Tuz Gölü (Turkish for "salt lake") is the second most important resting place for these birds. The second largest lake in the country, located about 100 km from Konya in Central Anatolia, is characterized by its salt water (hence its name).
When autumn comes and the birds have bred, they fly to the African continent in search of new and warmer refuges.
Several rare bird species are also found along the Euphrates, such as the bald ibis and the long-eared owl. But favorite spots for many species remain the marshes of Ereğli and Mount Demirkazik, the highest in the Taurus Mountain range.
With four adjacent seas, Turkey is a country with a beautiful marine resource and a wide variety of fish. Some of these fish are no longer in demand on the market - such as the hamsi, an anchovy from the Black Sea, which is very popular for frying - but there are no less than 384 species of fish in Turkish waters. The best known are mullet(kefal), sea bream(çapak), red mullet(barbun), turbot(kalkan) and sea bass(levrek). Obviously, overfishing and certain fishing techniques are damaging and drastically reduce this resource.
The flora
For thousands of years and thanks to certain geological movements, the territory of Turkey has been shaped in many ways. There are numerous mountain ranges, vast expanses of steppe and exceptional flora. This incredible plant life is due in part to the late arrival of agriculture and industry in the country. A large part of Turkey's coastal and temperate zones is covered by pine forests and scrubland. These areas are subject to frequent fires. Every year, about 20,000 hectares of forest go up in smoke. If you go to higher altitudes, you will find cedar, pine and fir woods.
Turkey has a vast and rich soil that allows for all kinds of crops: cherries, figs, apricots, walnuts, hazelnuts, chickpeas, lentils, wheat... Each region has its specializations.
The Aegean region is king in the cultivation of citrus fruits, grapes, olives, cotton, tobacco.
A little further south, the Mediterranean region with its year-round sunny climate allows the cultivation of tropical fruits. Thus, locally, kiwis, bananas, avocados and mushrooms, which have been introduced recently, are grown. Pistachio cultivation (Turkey is the third largest producer in the world) is concentrated in the southeast of the country, on the border with Syria, particularly in the province of Gaziantep. As for the pomegranate, the king fruit in Turkey, 65% of it is cultivated in the vicinity of Mersin.
In the center of Turkey, the extensive steppes are home to cereals, sunflowers, but also potatoes, sugar beets and pasture. The steppe landscape is very changeable and offers different faces according to the seasons. Springtime brings its share of colorful flowers. Crocus, violets, daisies and poppies blend together to create a fabulously bucolic scene. Note that many ornamental flowers have been grown here for generations, the most popular being the tulip (from Syria, not the Netherlands!) and the lily.
The Black Sea region, which is characterized by its temperate and very humid climate, is home to oak, beech, pine, alder, maple and eastern spruce trees on the higher ground. Below, its coast is used to grow tea (Turkey is among the top 5 tea producers in the world), hazelnuts (70% of the world's production), corn, plums and cherries.
The east of the country, with its arid, semi-desert and mountainous environment, is the poor relation of the country's agriculture.
Protection of biodiversity
The Turkish government has become aware, in recent years, of the natural assets of its country and the urgency to protect them. The protection of the environment in Turkey has thus become a real subject that regularly makes the news. Between 2003 and 2013, an adaptation strategy was implemented in Turkey through agreements and conventions with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. The rigor of the OECD's environmental policy has strongly influenced the sustainable environmental framework in Turkey. In addition, recommendations via international organizations have allowed for numerous studies to be conducted in partnership with local environmental protection organizations.
Since 2003, and its entry into the European Environment Agency (EEA), Turkey has strengthened its capacity to identify its natural heritage and access its data. A Regional Environmental Center for Central and Eastern Europe (REC) has been established by the joint action of the Turkish government and the European Commission in Ankara. One of the tasks of the center is to assist all stakeholders in solving environmental problems, to promote information exchange and public participation in environmental decision-making.
In parallel, habitats and refuges for biodiversity have been established in many areas, especially on the coast. Education and research programs are constantly expanding the Turkish environmental network and several international conventions have been signed to protect and preserve species and their natural habitats.
However, despite efforts and European encouragement, Turkey still faces environmental problems and shortcomings. And the lack of investment and means does not allow the country to align itself completely with the European model. One thing is certain, if Turkey wants to safeguard its unique natural heritage in the world, it must redouble its efforts in all areas: air, water and natural resource management. In the latest rankings concerning environmental performance, established by Yale University in 2018, Turkey pales in comparison, occupying the 113th place in the ranking out of... 186.
