Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Conserving Mammalian Wildlife Diversity: A Case Study from Türkiye

Medine Karatay; Servet Ulutürk

doi:10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1755427

EN TR

Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Conserving Mammalian Wildlife Diversity: A Case Study from Türkiye

Abstract

Research on the distribution and diversity of animals in protected and unprotected areas is crucial for the ongoing conservation of wildlife. In this study, conducted between 2016 and 2018 across 327 localities in Bingöl province and its rural surroundings, 18 medium- and large-sized wild mammal species were identified, including nine new records for the area. In the regions established within the study area—Yedisu, Kiğı, Yayladere, and Hacılar—the relative frequency of wild mammal species ranged from 0.3% to 32.0%, with the highest species diversity recorded in Kiğı, where 17 species were identified (H′=1.83). This was followed by Yedisu and Yayladere, each with 11 species (H′=2.19 and H′=1.86, respectively). Based on these results, the Kiğı region should be considered a priority area for conservation. At a time when concerns about the future of biodiversity are growing, studies like this that contribute to mammalian fauna will help preserve species, evolutionary potential, and ecosystem function. The data from this study will significantly support future management and conservation efforts in these key areas.

Keywords

Korunan Alanların Memeli Yaban Hayvanlarının Çeşitliliğini Korumadaki Etkinliği: Türkiye’de Korunan ve Korunmayan Alanların Karşılaştırılması

Abstract

Korunan ve korunmayan alanlardaki hayvanların dağılışı ve çeşitlilikleri üzerine yapılan araştırmalar, yaban hayatının devamı ve korunması açısından oldukça önemlidir. 2016-2018 yılları arasında Bingöl ili ve kırsalında toplam 327 lokalitede yürütülen bu çalışma ile 9'u yeni kayıt olmak üzere alanda 18 orta ve büyük boy memeli yaban hayvanı tanımlanmıştır. Çalışma alanı genelinde oluşturulan Yedisu, Kiğı, Yayladere ve Hacılar bölgelerinde memeli yaban hayvanları göreceli sıklığının %0,3 ile %32,0 arasında değiştiği ve en fazla tür çeşitliliğinin 17 tür ile Kiğı’da (H′=1.83) tespit edildiği görülmektedir. Bunu 11 tür ile Yedisu ve Yayladere (H′=2.19 ve H′=1.86) bölgeleri takip etmiştir. Bu sonuçlara göre Kiğı bölgesi koruma önceliği taşıyan bir alan olarak değerlendirilmelidir. Biyolojik çeşitliliğin geleceğine ilişkin endişelerin arttığı bu günlerde, bu çalışmalar aracılığıyla memeli faunasına yapılacak katkılar yalnızca türlerin değil, aynı zamanda evrimsel potansiyelin ve ekosistem işlevinin de korunmasına yardımcı olacaktır. Bu çalışmadan elde edilen veriler, ileride özel alanların yönetilmesi ve korunması açısından büyük katkılar sağlayacaktır.

Keywords

Supporting Institution

Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry-General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks

Thanks

This study was produced from Medine Karatay's Master's Thesis and supported by the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry-General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, Bingöl. Authors are grateful to Erkan Davran and his colleagues for their support during the fieldwork

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Zoology (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Medine Karatay
0000-0003-1128-4208
Türkiye

Servet Ulutürk ^*
0000-0001-6812-7583
Türkiye

Early Pub Date

February 8, 2026

Publication Date

February 8, 2026

Submission Date

August 1, 2025

Acceptance Date

October 9, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 29 Number: 3

DOI

https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1755427

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA77PP78ZJ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Karatay, M., & Ulutürk, S. (2026). Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Conserving Mammalian Wildlife Diversity: A Case Study from Türkiye. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım Ve Doğa Dergisi, 29(3), 721-731. https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1755427

AMA

1.Karatay M, Ulutürk S. Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Conserving Mammalian Wildlife Diversity: A Case Study from Türkiye. KSU J. Agric Nat. 2026;29(3):721-731. doi:10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1755427

Chicago

Karatay, Medine, and Servet Ulutürk. 2026. “Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Conserving Mammalian Wildlife Diversity: A Case Study from Türkiye”. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım Ve Doğa Dergisi 29 (3): 721-31. https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1755427.

EndNote

Karatay M, Ulutürk S (April 1, 2026) Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Conserving Mammalian Wildlife Diversity: A Case Study from Türkiye. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım ve Doğa Dergisi 29 3 721–731.

IEEE

[1]M. Karatay and S. Ulutürk, “Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Conserving Mammalian Wildlife Diversity: A Case Study from Türkiye”, KSU J. Agric Nat., vol. 29, no. 3, pp. 721–731, Apr. 2026, doi: 10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1755427.

ISNAD

Karatay, Medine - Ulutürk, Servet. “Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Conserving Mammalian Wildlife Diversity: A Case Study from Türkiye”. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım ve Doğa Dergisi 29/3 (April 1, 2026): 721-731. https://doi.org/10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1755427.

JAMA

1.Karatay M, Ulutürk S. Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Conserving Mammalian Wildlife Diversity: A Case Study from Türkiye. KSU J. Agric Nat. 2026;29:721–731.

MLA

Karatay, Medine, and Servet Ulutürk. “Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Conserving Mammalian Wildlife Diversity: A Case Study from Türkiye”. Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam Üniversitesi Tarım Ve Doğa Dergisi, vol. 29, no. 3, Apr. 2026, pp. 721-3, doi:10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1755427.

Vancouver

1.Medine Karatay, Servet Ulutürk. Effectiveness of Protected Areas in Conserving Mammalian Wildlife Diversity: A Case Study from Türkiye. KSU J. Agric Nat. 2026 Apr. 1;29(3):721-3. doi:10.18016/ksutarimdoga.vi.1755427