Biodiversity and conservation of Turkish forests

The rapid human population growth of Turkey and associated demands on natur al resources threaten the biodiversity of the nation's natural ecosystems, including forests. Though limited to about 26% of the total land area of th e country, maintaining healthy forests is vital to support sustainable deve lopment in Turkey. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the current st atus of Turkey's forests, present the national objectives for forest conser vation and sustainable use. and describe the actions needed to protect fore st biodiversity. While Turkey has numerous laws, regulations, and programme s that seek to promote biodiversity, implementation of these guidelines req uires increased commitment and vigilance. Conservation programmes should be increased in number and effectiveness, particularly in light of increasing demand for forest products, Management plans for all conservation programm es require completion and implementation. Creating monitoring programs and building quantitative databases for conservation programs will be essential to assess future success in maintaining biodiversity. Conservation of natu ral resources requires public education and promoting awareness of the vita l role of maintaining a healthy environment for sustainable development. Ag roforestry endeavors can provide practical means of meeting both environmen tal protection and agricultural product production goals. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.