Threat Ranking to Improve Conservation Planning: An Example from the Gediz Delta, Turkey

Mediterranean wetlands are among the most threatened natural areas. The needs and demands of an increasing human population are modifying land use and converting natural habitats into artificial areas. In order to combat these trends, effective conservation planning needs to provide clear, systemati...

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Main Authors: Dilara Arslan, Kerim Çiçek, Ömer Döndüren, Lisa Ernoul
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2021-12-01
Series:Land
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/12/1381
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author Dilara Arslan
Kerim Çiçek
Ömer Döndüren
Lisa Ernoul
author_facet Dilara Arslan
Kerim Çiçek
Ömer Döndüren
Lisa Ernoul
author_sort Dilara Arslan
collection DOAJ
description Mediterranean wetlands are among the most threatened natural areas. The needs and demands of an increasing human population are modifying land use and converting natural habitats into artificial areas. In order to combat these trends, effective conservation planning needs to provide clear, systematic identification of threats to find sustainable conservation strategies. In this case study, we evaluated current threats in the Gediz Delta (Turkey) using a multi-method approach. First, we did a comprehensive literature review and stakeholder interviews to identify existing threats. We then did a complete survey of the Delta through intensive fieldwork. The threats were coded and ranked using the conservation standards. We used the threat ranking and field survey to map the most vulnerable areas of the Delta. The most commonly observed threats in the field were pollution and agriculture and aquaculture activities. According to the threat ranking, the most important threats are climate change and residential and commercial development. The habitats that are most at risk are agricultural grassland habitats. The results indicate a need to extend conservation actions in the inner part of the Delta. In addition, the multi-method threat ranking approach could serve as a model to improve conservation planning in other sites worldwide.
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spelling doaj.art-8bfde8dcfb8846b3a0a80e8ef9aa7c342023-11-23T09:11:39ZengMDPI AGLand2073-445X2021-12-011012138110.3390/land10121381Threat Ranking to Improve Conservation Planning: An Example from the Gediz Delta, TurkeyDilara Arslan0Kerim Çiçek1Ömer Döndüren2Lisa Ernoul3Tour du Valat, Institut de Recherche pour la Conservation des Zones Humides Méditerranéennes, Le Sambuc, 13200 Arles, FranceZoology Section, Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ege University, Izmir 35100, Turkeyİzmir Büyükşehir Belediyesi, Izmir 35250, TurkeyTour du Valat, Institut de Recherche pour la Conservation des Zones Humides Méditerranéennes, Le Sambuc, 13200 Arles, FranceMediterranean wetlands are among the most threatened natural areas. The needs and demands of an increasing human population are modifying land use and converting natural habitats into artificial areas. In order to combat these trends, effective conservation planning needs to provide clear, systematic identification of threats to find sustainable conservation strategies. In this case study, we evaluated current threats in the Gediz Delta (Turkey) using a multi-method approach. First, we did a comprehensive literature review and stakeholder interviews to identify existing threats. We then did a complete survey of the Delta through intensive fieldwork. The threats were coded and ranked using the conservation standards. We used the threat ranking and field survey to map the most vulnerable areas of the Delta. The most commonly observed threats in the field were pollution and agriculture and aquaculture activities. According to the threat ranking, the most important threats are climate change and residential and commercial development. The habitats that are most at risk are agricultural grassland habitats. The results indicate a need to extend conservation actions in the inner part of the Delta. In addition, the multi-method threat ranking approach could serve as a model to improve conservation planning in other sites worldwide.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/12/1381conservation planningGediz Deltaperceptionsthreat rankingwetlands
spellingShingle Dilara Arslan
Kerim Çiçek
Ömer Döndüren
Lisa Ernoul
Threat Ranking to Improve Conservation Planning: An Example from the Gediz Delta, Turkey
Land
conservation planning
Gediz Delta
perceptions
threat ranking
wetlands
title Threat Ranking to Improve Conservation Planning: An Example from the Gediz Delta, Turkey
title_full Threat Ranking to Improve Conservation Planning: An Example from the Gediz Delta, Turkey
title_fullStr Threat Ranking to Improve Conservation Planning: An Example from the Gediz Delta, Turkey
title_full_unstemmed Threat Ranking to Improve Conservation Planning: An Example from the Gediz Delta, Turkey
title_short Threat Ranking to Improve Conservation Planning: An Example from the Gediz Delta, Turkey
title_sort threat ranking to improve conservation planning an example from the gediz delta turkey
topic conservation planning
Gediz Delta
perceptions
threat ranking
wetlands
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-445X/10/12/1381
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