Sündiken Mountains (811)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Sündiken Dağları
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.9167, Longitude: 31.1167
Elevation (m): 900 to 1574
Area of KBA (km2): 2127.0327
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA lies at the easternmost extremity of the 130 km long Sündiken mountain range, which lies on an east-west axis between the Sakarya and Porsuk plains. Extensive forests of Pinus nigra are interspersed with Quercus/Juniperus scrub, a few scattered villages and areas of open grassland. The steeper northern slopes face Sarýyar reservoir (site 045); the gently sloping south-facing valleys meet the semi-arid, intensively cultivated Central Anatolian plateau.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas) KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Mediterranean Hotspot (2017). Taxonomy, nomenclature and global threat category follow the 2016 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: The IBA is important for breeding raptors.
Delineation rationale: Area expanded from 14,000 ha [in 1997/2000 IBA inventory] to 212,500 ha (Kiliç & Eken 2004).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | forestry (50%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 10 | |
| Forest | 90 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: A newly constructed forest road appears to have forced two pairs of Aegypius monachus to nest higher up the valley. Forestry activities should take account of the distribution of breeding raptors (leaving an unmanaged buffer zone around each breeding valley), and old pine trees should not be felled.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Intentional use: large scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |