Determination of the Vital Ecological Networks: the Case of European Side of Turkey

Abstract

The European side of Turkey is under environmental pressure due to the intensive use land. In this study, the identification of existing ecological value and ecological networks planning possibilities were explored. Within the scope of this research, a general overview of the status of the ecologic corridors forming the ecologic networks on the European side of Turkey was exhibited with 1/100 000 scale. The corridor areas, which are determined by prioritising the vegetative density and area usage decisions, are important elements that provide livelihood of the living in the area. There is a very dense human-oriented pressure on the peninsula due to reasons such as agriculture, industry and rapid population increase. It is necessary to support the ecologic corridors, one of the most important arguments to decrease the damage to the ecologic diversity on the peninsula, and preserve them. This study evaluates the Turkish side of the Thrace Peninsula. However, the same study needs to be evaluated in the sides of Greece and Bulgaria. It is necessary to conduct the Balkans ecologic network system planning in a holistic way. The ecologic network planning studies of the European side of Turkey should be conducted cross-border along with Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria and other Balkan countries. The cross-border needs to be planned altogether to preserve and develop the ecologic network.