IPANET - Volunteer Network for the Important Plant Areas in Turkey



In terms of plant diversity Turkey is one of the richest countries, with over 11000 species, 33% of which are endemic to the country.

The Important Plant Areas (IPA) of Turkey were identified between 1992-2002 through field and literature research. The research which was conducted as a cooperative effort between Doğal Hayatı Koruma Derneği (DHKD) and its partners Istanbul University, Faculty of Pharmacy, Department of Pharmaceutical Botany (ISTE) and Flora Fauna International (FFI) resulted in listing the first 122 IPAs of Turkey*. Soon after, between 2003-2006, under the leadership of ISTE a further 22 IPAs were identified along the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline**.

IPANET project was developed and implemented by DHKD and Stichting Rubicon. The Matra Programme of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs provided financial support to the project during 2007-2009. 
In the project, 9 Important Plant Areas across Turkey were chosen as pilot sites. 



1. Ergene Basin IPA (Edirne and Kırklareli)
2. Ömerli Basin IPA (Istanbul)
3. Uludağ IPA (Bursa)
4. Çoruh Valley IPA (Erzurum and Artvin)
5. Baba Mountain IPA (Muğla)
6. Lara-Perakende Sand Dunes IPA (Antalya)
7. Ahir Mountain IPA (Kahramanmaraş)
8. Erciyes Mountain IPA (Kayseri)
9. Çıldır Lake IPA (Kars and Ardahan) 



At the pilot sites local volunteers were trained on the issue of natural-resources management and in particular on plant resources through activities such as lobbying, community development, formal and non-formal education, production of educational materials and citizen science activities (i.e. taking inventories, monitoring).

Since its establishment the IPANET continues to:

• Work with volunteers.
• Hold meetings with different interest groups.
• Monitor rare plants and their habitats.
• Share information with different target groups.
• Support sustainable use and management of nature.
• Take action for IPAs that need protection.

How you can help? 

Starting from the pilot IPAs, please consider contributing to the IPANET in any of these ways: 



• Share your observations and other information on endangered species and habitats in the IPAs of Turkey. 

• Join IPANET as a volunteer. 

• Make a donation, raise funds and find donors to carry out local activities at an IPA near you. 



For more information you can email: info@rubiconfoundation.org

* Byfield, A.; Atay, S.; Özhatay, N. (2010). Important Plant Areas in Turkey: 122 Key Turkish Botanical Sites WWF Turkey, Istanbul.

** Özhatay, N. (2006). Türkiye'nin BTC Boru Hattı Boyunca Önemli Bitki Alanları, (Important Plant Areas along the BTC Pipeline in Turkey) BTC Co., Istanbul.