Biological Richness of Eastern Anatolia (Turkey): A Good Sample to ConcurrentFauna and Flora with Zoogeographical

Notes

Dr. Ümit İncekara

Atatürk University, Faculty of Science, Department of Biology, Erzurum-Turkey

Turkey shows a notable diversity of habitats, with

significant variations in altitude, rainfall, temperature,

topography and geological history, which is reflected in its

richness of animal and plant life. Its biogeography is

therefore of considerable interest. In this presentation, a

brief biogeographical analysis of the fauna and flora of East

Anatolia (Turkey) is presented.

The most comprehensive study and analysis on the Anatolian

zoogeography was carried on by Kosswig (1955). The author had

summarized his opinion on the Anatolian zoogeography as: “Suddenly

one feels oneself in a foreign country, among an unfamiliar fauna from

the central or eastern Anatolian steppes, or from the mountainous

regions of northern, eastern, or western Anatolia” (Kosswig, 1955).

Main reason of this is rather high mountain barriers. In the south and

in the north, high mountains separated the central Anatolian lake from

the Mediterranean as well as from the Black Sea (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1. Main current barriers to the distribution of species in Turkey.

to be able to analyze biological richness of Eastern

Anatolia truly, it would be good to know about

historical backround of the Anatolian geography.

Fig. 2. Movements of the Anatolian fauna during the glaciations (Koswig, 1955).

Fig. 2. Movements of the Anatolian fauna during the post glaciations (Koswig, 1955).

According to “Biodiversity Hotspots” report, there are 34

biodiversity gene centres worldwide. Of these, East Anatolia

is situated at the junction of four biodiversity gene centres.

These are:

1)- Caucasus

2)- Iran-Anatolia

3)- Mediterranean Basin

4)- Middle Asia Mountains

CURRENT STATE

Animal Biodiversity In Turkey and Eastern Anatolia

Based on the distribution of thousands of animal species

belong to numerous families in East Anatolia shows the

existence of three major faunas, one influenced European-

Siberian region, the others by the Eremia and

Mediterranean.

Many animal species are introduced to science from Eastern

Anatolia as:

* Helophorus erzurumica n. sp.

* Johnstonıana hakani n.sp.

* Terellia askaleensis n. sp.

* Ledermuelleriopsis ayyildizi n. sp.

* Ledermuelleriopsis bisetalis n. sp.

* Ledermuelleriopsis sezeki n. sp.

The number of animal species present in Turkey is more than those

in whole European continent (Europe X 1.5) (one point five times

more).

In Eastern Anatolia, serious studies have not been conducted on

many animal groups. And therefore, more studies should be

conducted on these groups intensively.

Plant Bio-diversity in the World

Endemism Rates

Total plant species Endemism Rate

1. Australia 15.638 90%

2. South-East Asia 45.000 88%

3. Madagaskar 9.704 80%

3. Brasil 70.000 78%

4. China and East Asia 45.000 41%

5. India and Sri Lanka 23.000 40%

……

…..

*Turkey 12.000 34%

Plant Biodiversity In Turkey

Turkey has a rich diversity of plant species and is an active species-

formation center and also Turkey is one of the world’s most

important countries in terms of endemic plants. Floristic studies have

shown that Turkey houses about 12000 plant taxa and still a great

number of new species are being discovered progressively.

In Turkey, rate of endemism is relatively high when compared with

other European countries. While the rate of endemism is more than

34 % in Turkey, it is:

Greece: 14.9%

France: 2.9%

Spain : 18.6%

Poland: 0.1% in some other European countries.

The number of endemic species in Turkey is more than 3000.

Some countries have very low endemism rate. For example: In

Switzerland, there is only one endemic plant.

Turkey is the only country in the world under the influence of 3

phytogeographical regions called as Euro-Siberian, Mediterranean

and Irano-Turanian phytogeographic regions. The distribution of

endemic plants of Turkey according to main phytogeographical

regions is as follows:

Irano-Turanian : 1220

Mediterranean : 1050

Euro-Siberian : 300

Similarly, East Anatolia is situated at the junction of three floristic

regions.

Turkey is divided to 7 geographic regions. Mediterranean region

is the most important area in terms of richness of endemic plants.

East anatolia region has also a rich diversity of species and

ranked secondly in terms of endemism rate.

In Turkey, Mediterranean region is the most important area in terms

of richness of endemic plants. This area constitutes most of the

endemic plant species distributed in Turkey. East Anatolia Region has

also a rich diversity of species and ranked secondly in terms of

endemism rate. The most important diversity centers found in East

Anatolia are the Erzincan and Erzurum provinces and high mountains

found in the South of Van Lake.

Floristic studies carried out until now have shown that

Erzurum province constitutes about 255 endemic plant

taxa. Most of them belong to the Aceraceae, Fabaceae,

Scrophulariaceae, Lamiaceae, Asteraceae plant families.

Many plant species are introduced to science from Eastern

Anatolia as:

Elymus hoffmanni (Jensen and Asay, 1996)

Centaurea yildizii (Türkoǧlu et al., 2003)

Salvia hedgeana (Donmez, 2001)

Vicia erzurumica (Erik and Demirkuş, 1998)

Latest event: Fritillaria michailovskyi

“crying tulip”

«reverse tulip»

These plants are known as “crying tulip” ‘’reverse tulip’’ or

“crying bride” among Turkish people. It is believed that the

“crying tulip’’ was grown using Mother Marry tears as nutrient

after Jesus Christ was crucified. Therefore, this flower is holly

among many christians.

In Turkey, 20 of 43 species are endemic.

The “crying tulip” Fritillaria michailovskyi is distributed in

Erzurum (Karayazı) province only.

There was a bad event in the recent months. The last remaining 57

species have been removed by foreign experts. Fortunately, they

were cought while trying to smuggle the bulbs through the border.

Thankfully, the bulbs were brought back to

Erzurum, their homeland. Atatürk

University ‘ATA Botanic Park’ is planning

to replicate this plant.

This is a very good recent news.

RESULTS

Unfortunately, this diversity and endemic animals and plants are

under considerable threat. The habitats in mountainous and coastal

dunes are under threat of human beings due to tourism activities.

According to many researchers, the wildlife in Turkey is having

hard time in regenerating as the other countries on the Earth. That is

the reason why it is really important to protect the diversity of

animals and plants.

Many plant and animal species are waiting your’s help to survive in

East Anatolia, Turkey and various parts of the world.

I want to my homeland

It is hopefull observe that there is increased

sensitivity towards the protection of

biodiversity in Eastern Anataolia.