“Small Protected Areas” for Conservation Priorities in South Anatolia (Başkonuş Mountain-Kahramanmaraş)

Abstract

Objective: The Başkonuş Mountain (Kahramanmaraş) is located in the transition zone of Irano-Turan and Mediterraneanplant geographical regions and in the southern part of the Anatolian Diagonal. A specific region in the East Mediterraneanbasin consists of an area that holds great biological importance and is a world hotspot. In this study, the small protected areasof the Başkonuş Mountain were determined.Materials and Methods: A total of 17 endemic and 9 rare taxa were selected based on their IUCN statutes, altitudes, andhabitats. Their GPS coordinates were loaded on a computer and digitized in a map projection system. Distributions of theselected taxa were marked on a topographic map in the scale of 1/25.000. The 26 maps were overlapped so that the areas ofplant biodiversity could be observed on the map.Results: Six small protected areas were defined on the Başkonuş Mountain. Several threats and conservation suggestionswere presented in this study.Conclusion: Local data about biodiversity sources are limited. Thus, conservation biologists and government offices shouldplay active roles in formal educational settings and employ alternative methods to the community in Kahramanmaraş.