Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
JOURNAL OF TEKIRDAG AGRICULTURE FACULTY-TEKIRDAG ZIRAAT FAKULTESI DERGISI, cilt.10, sa.1, ss.29-39, 2013 (ESCI)
The present study analyzed the potential landscape/habitat networks for Caracal (Caracal caracal) in Urla-CesmeKaraburun peninsula. In this way, it was aimted at providing a base for future reintroduction program for caracal, a threatened species, in the study area. The methodology of the study is composed of the following stages: Identifying potential habitats, carrying capacities of the potential habitats, viability of the network population and linkage analysis. Eleven potantial habitat patches were identified for caracal in the study area but only 5 of them were found to be suitable for the species. However, based on carrying capacity analysis, it was concluded that none of those habitats were sufficient to hold a viable caracal population in the long run. This revealed that identifying or establishing ecological linkages between those habitat patches was neccecassry to achieve the viability of the network population. The least costly paths were identified to determine the potential suitable linkages which would theoretically facilitate the flux of the caracal between the habitat patches. As a result, 36 linkage alternatives were distinguished. Based on extensive considerations, 11 of them were excluded. Remaining 25 potential linkages were elaborated in order to make some recommendations for further studies and implementation. The present study revealed that the habitats in the study region are very much fragmented and none of the habitat patches is suitable to hold a viable caracal population. Therefore achieving the connectivity of habitat patches is suggested to be a priority for any future conservation initiative for caracal and for any other similar species. Achieving the connectivity of the existing habitats will also have positive impact on the conservation of biodiversity in the region.