Post by Fenlander on Jul 11, 2008 9:08:58 GMT 2
Ministry takes ecological approach to tick problem
Following 31 fatalities in Turkey this year from the tick-borne disease Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF), Turkish officials have been exploring ways to deal with the tick species carrying the disease, leading them to consider an ecological approach.
Scientists found that the increase in the tick population is caused by a breakdown in the ecological balance -- a state of dynamic equilibrium within a community of organisms in which genetic, species and ecosystem diversity remain relatively stable, subject to gradual changes through natural succession. Preying on insects such as ticks, rodents and other small creatures, birds are a key part of the biological chain. But unfortunately, many species of birds have been over hunted in Turkey, with populations now dwindling.
Following the model of EU member states, which implemented regulations to maintain biological diversity and achieve stable populations in the animal and avian world, the Environment and Forestry Ministry is preparing a new action plan to prohibit bird hunting in an attempt to partially restore the ecological balance. The decision by the ministry will be announced to the public in the coming days.
There are approximately 6 million illegal hunters in the country. They have been found to hunt even pelicans, crows and storks. In addition, they seek out hawks and falcons for illegal sales to Middle Eastern countries. These predatory species are especially important in keeping rodent populations in check, a key function as rodents are also known to be vectors of infection.
Effects of climate change
The diminishing bird populations are not only due to hunting; climate change has also had an effect. The wetlands of Hotamýþ, Eþmekaya and Ereðli, as well as the lakes of Akþehir, Eber, Meke and Suðla in central Turkey, used to host large populations of migratory birds, but now the number observed in these locations is negligible. In addition, significant reductions in the number of migratory birds have been recorded at the lakes of Beyþehir, Kulu, Tersakan, Samsam and Kozanlý in central Turkey.
The drought conditions of the last few years have made most wetlands in Turkey shrink. This represents a key loss of habitat for migratory birds. The size of this loss is estimated to be 25 times greater than the largest freshwater lake, Beyþehir, near the central province of Konya.
Taking global warming effects into consideration, experts from the Ministry of Environment and Forestry say each year one bird species becomes extinct in Turkey.
Some large birds such as the great bustard (Otis tarda) and the green cormorant (Pelecanus cristatus) are facing the threat of extinction. Turkey ranks first in Europe for the most endangered avian species, with 148 on its list, even though it has the highest level of bird diversity.