Plant Biodiversity Governance in Turkey

Year 2017, Volume: 4 Issue: 1, 57 - 62, 06.01.2017

Alptekin Karagöz Cafer Olcayto Sabancı

Abstract

Biodiversity is an indispensable
source to meet the basic needs of human being, notably food and nutrition.
Turkish people traditionally depend on biodiversity and developed
many traditions and customs associated with
biodiversity. Therefore, its management and
conservation is of particular importance for Turkey. Biodiversity
is diminishing due to several reasons most of which are human-induced
activities. Agricultural areas are shrinking, soil and water resources are
rapidly being polluted. In view of the ongoing population growth, it's
inevitable to encounter with more serious environmental problems in the near
future. The concept of governance is relatively new for Turkey. It is possible to speak of management rather than governance. Due to
strong centralisation in issue of conservation and management of biodiversity,
state alone played the major role ignoring the participation of stakeholders.
Rio conventions can be considered as the starting point for the governance
practices. Following the ratification of the Rio
conventions, governance concept began to take place and
implemented in biodiversity related plans, programs and
practices. Despite the implementation of many environmental protection programs
in accordance with this understanding, local public
segments at large that have traditionally been excluded from governing the sources seem to be sceptical to the new
approach. On the other hand non-governmental organizations are playing more
active roles today for public awareness activities and participatory resource
management. For proper governance of biological sources, support
of research activities concerning sustainable use of biodiversity at all
levels, together with proper and effective environmental planning are needed.

 

Keywords

Plant biodiversity, Turkey, biodiversity governance, natural resource management

Plant Biodiversity Governance in Turkey

Abstract

Biodiversity is an indispensable
source to meet the basic needs of human being, notably food and nutrition.
Turkish people traditionally depend on biodiversity and developed
many traditions and customs associated with
biodiversity. Therefore, its management and
conservation is of particular importance for Turkey. Biodiversity
is diminishing due to several reasons most of which are human-induced
activities. Agricultural areas are shrinking, soil and water resources are
rapidly being polluted. In view of the ongoing population growth, it's
inevitable to encounter with more serious environmental problems in the near
future. The concept of governance is relatively new for Turkey. It is possible to speak of management rather than governance. Due to
strong centralisation in issue of conservation and management of biodiversity,
state alone played the major role ignoring the participation of stakeholders.
Rio conventions can be considered as the starting point for the governance
practices. Following the ratification of the Rio
conventions, governance concept began to take place and
implemented in biodiversity related plans, programs and
practices. Despite the implementation of many environmental protection programs
in accordance with this understanding, local public
segments at large that have traditionally been excluded from governing the sources seem to be sceptical to the new
approach. On the other hand non-governmental organizations are playing more
active roles today for public awareness activities and participatory resource
management. For proper governance of biological sources, support
of research activities concerning sustainable use of biodiversity at all
levels, together with proper and effective environmental planning are needed.

Keywords

Plant biodiversity, Turkey, biodiversity governance, natural resource management

References

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