Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
3. ULUSAL YABAN HAYVANLARI KONGRESİ, Van, Türkiye, 21 - 24 Mayıs 2025, cilt.1, ss.98-100, (Özet Bildiri)
The wild goat (Capra aegagrus
Erxleben), which inhabits semi-arid mountainous regions, is increasingly
threatened by habitat fragmentation, human pressure, declining food resources,
and climate change. This study aims to identify and design afforestation-based
ecological corridors that support the species’ seasonal migration and spatial
behavior, integrating ecological needs with site-specific vegetation planning.
Field observations, literature review, and local knowledge were used to
identify potential corridor routes within Van, Hakkari, Siirt, and Bitlis
provinces. Natural valleys and ridge lines between 1000–2500 m elevation and
slopes steeper than 25° were identified as suitable migration paths.
The proposed corridor design
incorporates a multilayered vegetation structure using native species such as Juniperus
communis L., Quercus infectoria Oliv., Pyrus elaeagnifolia
Pall., Astragalus ssp. Rosa canina L.,
and Salix caprea L, which provide food, shelter, and thermal regulation
for the species. Design zones include core shelter belts, forage zones,
transition strips along watercourses, and erosion control zones on slopes.
Windbreaks and buffer plantings were also integrated to moderate microclimatic
stress and mitigate human–wildlife boundary conflicts. The corridor model aims
to link existing protected areas, thus enhancing gene flow and supporting
metapopulation structures.
This study proposes an original, applicable, and replicable ecological corridor model tailored to nature-based and species-focused landscape planning, aiming to support natural forage resources in the semi-arid regions of Türkiye. The proposed model serves as a strategic tool not only for the conservation of wild goats but also for the sustainability of regional biodiversity