Tahtalı Mountains (24295)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1e, B1
Year of last assessment: 2022
National site name: Tahtalı Dağları
Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.5455, Longitude: 30.4534
System: terrestrial, freshwater
Area of KBA (km2): 1328.128
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Tahtalı Mountain Range (Tahtalı Dağları) are located in the Central Anatolian area of Turkey. It lies in the middle of the Taurus Mountains, mostly between the provinces of Kayseri, Adana, with smaller areas within the provinces of Sivas and Kahramanmaraş. The Tahtalı Mountain range is about 170 km long and 50 km wide. Many mountains in this range have elevations of over 2500 m. The tallest mountain is (Bey Dağı) near Tufanbeyli (Adana Province) with an elevation 3,075 metres (10,089 ft). The rivers Ceyhan and Seyhan flow parallel to each other and have their sources in this area and their mouths are located near Çukurova, leading into the Mediterranean Sea.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. The Bay Lycian salamander (Lyciasalamandra billae) meets A1a/A1e/B1/B2 and the Anatolia Lycian salamander (Lyciasalamandra antalyana) meets A1a/B1/B2. An additional nine species of birds, one invertebrate, one mammal, 11 plants, and four reptiles meet legacy KBA criteria and are in need of reassessment against the Global Standard.
Manageability of the site: This site was identified as an IBA/KBA in 2004. A manageability rationale is not available.
Delineation rationale: This site was identified as an IBA/KBA in 2004. A delineation rationale is not available.
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Only in the future | |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Only in the future |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing |