wwf forest of the month - kure mountains


	Also known as "The Valla Canyon", the site represents the largest and most intact area of the Central Black Sea Humid Karst Region in Northern Turkey. Diverse habitats, rich wildlife and beautiful landscapes characterize the area. Forestry operations and uncontrolled plant collection damage these unique old growth forests. Hunting and planned dams are other major threats. A declaration of National Park status is sought by the Turkish government.	TURKISH TOP HOTSPOT: Western Kure Mountains, Kastamonu Size: 55 000 Hectares Threats: Forestry operations, Uncontrolled plant collection, hunting, and planned dams WWF's goal: WWF requires the site to be established as a National Park , which allows use of high eco-touristic potential while natural resources are protected.

Natural Conditions and Biodiversity

Western Kure Mountains is situated in the "Euxin" Section of the Euro-Siberian Floristic Region in Northern Anatolia and represents the largest and most intact area of the Central Black Sea Humid Karst Region. Covering an area of over 50,000 hectares, it includes four main ecosystems: a large "natural forest ", a "degraded forest", a "traditional subsistence agricultural ecosystem" and a "river ecosystem". Moreover, micro-ecosystems such as; the "canyons" and "forest meadows " are present in the area. The central part is delimited by a range of cliffs (and canyons) which include pristine or semi-pristine natural forests of oriental beech (Fagus orientalis) and fir (Abies bornmuelleriana), as dominant species. There are stretches of forests that extend down very near to the sea, mainly of chestnut and associated species. Lower areas near the coast also host relict Mediterranean elements and maquis. Other forest types worth mentioning: pure (or mixed) forests of black pine and mixed broadleave forests containing hornbeam, oak, maple, ash, lime, elm, hazelnut species and common box. Rocky vegetation on high cliffs include many endemic species i.e. Allium kastamboluense, Sideritis paphlagonica, Cephalaria paphlagonica...etc.

Fauna

Brown bear, roe deer, red deer, wolf, fox, and wild boar used to be widespread but have been subject to intensive hunting. Some of the bird species observed in the area are; Goshawk (Accipiter gentilis), Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus), Buzzard (Buteo Buteo), Kestrel (Falco Tinnunculus), Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus), Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)...etc.

Threats

The area has not been thoroughly studied yet, therefore the information about the flora and fauna of the area is fairly limited. However, it's quite clear that brown bear, roe deer, red deer, and wild boar which used to be widespread in the area have been intensively hunted. Endemic trout have almost disappeared due to the introduction of rainbow trout by the MoF. Large stands of rare chestnuts forests have been overexploited. This has resulted in disease for chestnuts. Boxwood is also under pressure by illegal collection.

Forestry operations, especially timber production and silvicultural treatments damage unique and old stands of beech and fir. Old giant trees and dead woods are removed. Illegal cutting, uncontrolled plant/mushroom collection and hunting, grazing, road construction and grave robbing, are other current threats. Planned dams also create potential threat to the canyons.

What Needs to be Done

All forest areas in the Country are State owned. However, there are patches of private agricultural areas around the villages converted from natural forests.

The Western Küre Mountain is currently an unprotected forest, managed by the State for timber production. WWF requires the site to be established as a National Park (IUCN category II), which allows use of high eco-touristic potential while natural resources are protected.

The core area which covers 55,000 hectares has to be strictly protected and surrounded with a buffer zone, where human activities are controlled and sustainable use of forest resources implemented. A collaborative National Park management has to be established in the buffer zone in which local inhabitants also take part and benefit from alternative ways of income like eco-tourism; so that they will be able to play an active role in the conservation of the core area. Part of the area is identified as an IFA in the WWF Mediterranean Gap Analysis (IFA Code:A5TUR17 Mixed forests in Cide, Kastamonu). It has been recently designated for N. Park status. DHKD/WWF will be involved in the implementation of some of the management programs and prepare a project proposal.