Çalbalı Bush-cricket (Psorodonotus ebneri) Case Study

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MBZF Grant 192520509
Invertebrate

Continent: Asia

Country: Turkey

Grant Amount: $10,500

Awarded Date: August 10, 2019

Battal Çıplak

Akdeniz University


Dumlupınar Bulvarı, Akdeniz Üniversitesi/Kampüs

ANTALYA/KONYAALTI

NONE

07070

Turkey

Tel: +90 242 3102356

Mob:

PRICELESS OR WORTHLESS: CONSERVING PSORODONOTUS EBNERI, ONE OF THE 100 AMAZING SPECIES

PRICELESS OR WORTHLESS: CONSERVING PSORODONOTUS EBNERI, ONE OF THE 100 AMAZING SPECIES Biodiversity of Anatolia consists of many endemic species on its highlands. These habitats play an important role for conservation of cold-preferring and mostly endemic organisms. Psorodonotus ebneri is one of these species with critically endangered conservation status, inhabiting Beydağları Mountain (Antalya, Turkey). This research aims to develop a conservation perspective for Psorodonotus ebneri and its habitat.

According to mythology, the Prophet Noah had built an ark to rescue living things from the Great Flood and the ark landed on top of a mountain in the Middle East when the flood ended. Ararat Mountain in the Caucasus and Cilo Mountain in the northern end of the Zagros Mountains are two mountains suggested as the place where “Noah’s Ark” landed. The Noah’s Ark mythology provides a great metaphor to define the present role of the mountain ranges for conservation of cold-preferring species endemic to some highlands in the Middle East and Caucasus. We suppose the BeydaÄŸları Mountain (Antalya, Turkey) as a Noah Ark for the critically endangered iconic species (One of the 100 Amazing Species) Psorodonotus ebneri (see photo and map). The financial support by “Mohammed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund” provides a great opportunity to put conservation plans in action for this iconic species. By the project has following aims. 

 

1- To determine the Psorodonotus ebneri’s occupancy area, exact habitat preference, population size and demographical status. By these data the threat category of Psorodonotus ebneri will be re-assessed.

2- The climate data for the local distribution area of the species will be obtained to estimate the life-cycle threshold for egg lying, embryonic development, hatching and molting period. These data will also give opportunity of determining adaptive potential of the species and possible trend for the population survival. 

3- Potential threats will be monitored and assessed. The water sources within and around the habitat, the precipitation regime and the usage of these water sources by humans will be determined to estimate survival of the habitat. Other potential threat such as grazing herds and their mowing regimes, and the grass cutting by human will be determined.

4- The conservation plan will be determined and put in action. The survival of the habitat requires preventing dispose of water, herd grazing and grass cutting. To support animal reproduction unbreakable cages will be placed to some certain areas to provide safe egg laying areas. 

5- Meetings which targeting the local authorities and people living around the habitat will be organized. The data obtained will be shared with participants. We will benefit from media (regular or social) to increase awareness. 


Grant documents

MBZF Grant 192520509 - located in Turkey, Asia