Number of taxon groups in addition to birds for which Turkey’s IBAs hold internationally significant populations

n = 156. G. Eken in litt. (2003)

The 156 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in Turkey cover a total land area of 91,684 km², c.12% of the country (analysis of data held in BirdLife’s World Bird Database 2004). Studies have shown that at least 112 (72% of the total, 93% by area) of these sites also hold internationally significant populations of one or more of five other wildlife groups (plants, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and freshwater fish) (G. Eken in litt. 2003, Eken et al. 2006). Nearly one third, 48 IBAs, are of global or regional importance for three or more different groups, in addition to birds. As more surveys are carried out, the number of IBAs known to be important for other groups is likely to rise. These findings highlight the importance of conserving IBAs in Turkey for a diverse range of other fauna and flora.