Tech4Nature Türkiye: Every Species Counts

Animals captured by camera traps as part of the Tech4Nature solution

Türkiye hosts exceptionally rich biodiversity due to its location at the crossroads of three global biodiversity hotspots: the Mediterranean, Caucasus and Irano-Anatolian regions. Despite covering less than 1% of the Earth’s land surface, the country supports more than 10,000 vascular plant species, about one-third of which are endemic, making it one of the richest floras in the temperate world.

The nation also hosts approximately 1,500 vertebrate species and an estimated 60,000 to 80,000 animal species across diverse ecosystems ranging from Mediterranean forests and wetlands to alpine habitats and steppes.

Türkiye has established a diverse system of protected areas, including 49 national parks, 268 nature parks, 32 nature protection areas, 111 natural monuments, 85 wildlife development areas and 14 Ramsar areas.

Kazdağı: A biodiversity treasure trove

Peak point of Kazdağı National Park (Image source: DKM)

Kazdağı National Park covers an area of 21,798 hectares in Balıkesir Province, northwestern Türkiye, and harbors unique endemic species and old growth forests.

Its rich array of mammals includes roe deer, brown bear, wild boar, foxes, golden jackals, badgers, alongside smaller species such as shrews, bats, and rodents. Birdlife is especially abundant, with more than 220 species recorded — raptors like eagles, buzzards, and hawks soar above the mountain slopes, while owls, forest songbirds and migratory species enrich the avian community.

Several species are listed on the IUCN global and national Red List, including the white-backed woodpecker (Dendrocopos luecotos) (Vulnerable), the Sarıkız çayı (Sideritis trojana) (Endangered), and Armeria trojana (Endangered).

A combination of factors, such as habitat loss, forest fires, mining, climate change, and poaching threaten biodiversity.

TechNature Türkiye

International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Huawei, and local partner DKM (Nature Conservation Center) have developed a pilot technology-based biodiversity monitoring system for Kazdağı National Park.

The aim is to create a monitoring network capable of capturing different layers of the ecosystem, from wildlife activity to soundscapes and local climate conditions.

Solution deployment (Image source: DKM)

With deployment commencing in April 2026, the solution comprises bioacoustic recorders, meteorological stations, and solar-powered camera traps, as well as training sessions to instruct regional forestry experts in their use. It covers 15,000 hectares, including pure stand and mixed forests such as black pine, chestnut, Kaz Mountain fir, as well as wildfire areas.

The selected locations reflected a range of forest conditions, including pure endemic Kazdağı fir (Abies nordmanniana subsp. equi-trojani) stands, mixed forests, relatively undisturbed areas, and sites shaped by past forest management practices.

This approach will help DKM better understand how biodiversity responds to different forest structures and management histories.

Alongside the field deployment, the project will develop digital infrastructure that supports species assessments for the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List and broader conservation planning efforts. By linking field data with national and global systems, the partners aim to ensure that monitoring results can effectively inform both policy and practice.

As of September 2026, the solution had captured more than 4,500 images and videos, and 45 hours of bioacoustic recordings of environmental sounds.

As the impact of climate change in Türkiye increases, it is critical to monitor forest biodiversity. As part of the Tech4Nature project, we developed a sample monitoring protocol for a globally important site.Yıldıray Lise,
Deputy Director General, DKM

Tech4Nature helps us make the biodiversity of Kazdağı more visible and audible, turning field observations into knowledge that supports conservation.Elif Deniz Ülke,
Ecologist - Poject Manager, DKM