Abstract: Forest management plans in Turkey were made based on wood production and the related services with classical approach until recent years. However, today transition was made through functional planning based on ecosystem. To this extent, sample practices have been started in different areas in Turkey. Study area is one of the sample plots which are made multiple planning in GEF II project. The study area was visited in periodic intervals between 2006 and 2008 to identify the mammal and bird species. About 3 days camping was done with tents for field studies. Directly and indirect observation methods were used in this study. About 11 mammal and 72 bird species were determined in study area. Disappeared, target species were determined and their conservation strategies were suggested.

INTRODUCTION

Conservation of bird and mammal species in other words, conservation of biodiversity in an area requires sustainable conservation of the species and their habitats. Biodiversity involves the whole of the genes, species, ecosystems and functions in an area. Many people perceive biologic diversity only as the species diversity. This approach is inadequate in terms of the principle of sustainability of biologic sources. Today many species can co-exist in the same area thanks to habitat differences and different ecologic demands of the species. For this reason to conserve the species in a more efficient manner, it is more acceptable to conserve their habitats, ecosystems and to develop programs aiming to further improve their health. In recent years, biologic diversity conservation studies do not only involve species. With a holistic approach, conservation of habitats and distinction of inter-habitat ecological corridors and forming a network of the conserved areas began to be adopted.

Located on the intersection point of large continental plates in geographic terms and thus having various climate types and a wide variety of living environments (habitat), Turkey is one of the most important biodiversity areas in the world. Having approximately 464 bird (Kirwan et al., 1998) and 140 mammal species, Turkey has a richness that almost equals to the whole of European continent. The study is the transition point of inner and coastal areas of Mediterranean, which is the richest region of Turkey in terms of biodiversity. In addition, the study area contains Kasnak Oak Quercus vulcanica forest, which is an endemic species of Turkey. In study area, Isparta Province has the biggest population of Kasnak Oak Q. vulcanica in Turkey (Avci, 1996). Since Kasnak oak forest consists of endemic, rare and endangered tree species, the forest was announced as Nature Protected Area in 1987. Total area of Kasnak Oak Nature Protected Area is 13,005 ha, the altitude varies between 1200-1900 m. Natural Conservation Area is located between 37°37'30"-37°47'29" North latitudes and 30°47'22"-30°32'30" East longitudes (Karatepe, 2005).

No fauna study has been carried out in the study area. There are studies carried out only in Kasnak Oak Nature Protected Area. In this area, Gundogdu (2002) identified 27 bird species in his master’s thesis. Avci (1996) reported that 55 bird and 11 mammal species were distributed in the area.

The principle ecosystem of Yukarigokdere consists of high mountains, maquis scrubland, rocks and fields. Important bird and mammal species and the ecosystems where these species are distributed should be identified in forest management plan in such a way to ensure sustainability of Yukarigokdere forests and biologic diversity should be protected and monitored.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The study area altitude ranges from 680-2395 m. The area lies between North latitudes of 4166319 and 4189999 m and East Longitudes of 303212 and 313122 m according to Zone of UTM WGS 84 36. Total area is 8669.29 ha.

Fig. 1:	Geographical location of the study area

Annual average precipitation is 771 mm. Main matter is substantially hard calcareous and granite, clay stone, sandstone, various metamorphic matters, crystalline rocks, flysch and limestone may exist on mountainous districts (KHGM, 1994). Annual average temperature is 13°C. Geographic location of the area under investigation is shown in Fig. 1.

The study area was visited in periodic intervals between 2006 and 2008 to identify the fauna. The methods of census at point count and transect line were employed (Bibby et al., 1992). About 3 days camping was done with tents for field studies.

The study was conducted in the parts of the area in which birds and mammals possibly exist more intensively such as road, openings and edges considering the area’s geographic nature and fauna. Observations were conducted within the first 3-4 h periods following sunrise in the mornings and within 2-3 h periods before sunset in the evenings in summers. These observations were conducted during daytime in winters.

In addition, observations were conducted between 09:00 pm and 01:00 am along the transected parts by using projectors and headlamps of cars to determine nocturnal species. Generally, observations were based on visual contacts with the animals however, excreta, feather and traces on the days in which the floor covered by snow especially in winters were used for identification. Different binoculars were used for observing birds and mammals during the study.

Various books were consulted in identification of the observed bird and mammal species (Bang and Dahlstrom, 1980; Turan, 1984, 1990; Kiziroglu, 1989; Brown et al., 1992; Jonsson, 1993; Kence and Bilgin, 1996; Kirwan et al., 1998).

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

In the study area, 11 mammal species from 8 families belong to 6 classes, 72 bird species from 26 families belong to 7 classes were identified (Table 1 and 2).

Disappeared species
: Based on the reports of the hunters and taxidermy samples which were said to have existed, hunted and stuffed in the locality the species, which were known but no record of which were obtained for almost 20-25 years were considered as extinct species. These species are shown in Table 3. Among these species, bear, wild goat and Griffon vulture are still distributed in neighboring areas (Sutculer and Asagigokdere).

Target (endemic, indicator, threatened, commercial) species:
No area-based or country-based endemic species were identified in the study area during the study. Among the identified species, the species which belonged to the group VU and NT according to IUCN Red List and the ones which are allowed to be hunted according to MAK (Central Hunting Committee) decisions were considered as target species (Table 4 and 5).

Table 1:	Determined mammal species in study area
*2009-2010 Central Hunting Committee (MAK)-Turkey; LC: Low Critically, NT: Near Threatened, M: Maquis, OİA: Gaps in forest, K: Rocky, YO: Broad leaves forest, S: Steppe, İO: Coniferous forest, KO: Mixed forest

Table 2:	Determined bird species in study area
*2009-2010 Central Hunting Committee (MAK)-TURKEY; Y: Native, G: Transit bird, YG: Summer visitant, LC: Low Critically, NT: Near Threatened, DD: Data Deficient, M: Maquis, K: Rocky, S: Steppe, OİA: Gaps in forest, YO: Broud leaves forest, İO: Conferous forest, KO: Mixed forest

Table 3:	Disappeared species

In addition, endangered species were considered as indicator species for the fauna classes and the ecosystems where they were distributed.

Conservation strategies:
It was observed that local people did not pose a threat to the distributed species. The fact that Yukarigokdere villagers have a high-income level and have no expectation of making profit on the forest may be the reason of this situation. The species that should be conserved or monitored:

Table 4:	Target species (Commercial)
Low: During this type of field study, observation ratio was 20-30% at different parts of the area for each 3-day camping; Good: During this type of field study, observation ratio was 90-100% at different parts of the area for each 3-day camping

Table 5:	Target species (Threatened and indicator)
Low: During this type of field study, observation ratio was 20-30% at different parts of the area for each 3 day camping. Good: During this type of field study, observation ratio was 90-100% at different parts of the area for each 3 days camping

Table 6:	Threatening analysis table

Mammals

Red squirrel Sciurus vulgaris L. (Risk degree: NT): Red Squirrel is distributed almost at every region of Turkey. Their habitat consist holes of old trees or coppices. Thus, they do not prefer to live in forests, which are cut-down and renewed at the end of their lifetime. Apart from conserved areas and some woodland, unfortunately today the habitats of these species get smaller and smaller. Squirrels generally live in Kasnak Oak Nature Protected Area. Since, apart from scientific purposes, no human activity is permitted in this area which is covered with broad-leaved and old trees, the field has no risk of conservation problem or habitat break-down.

Birds

Roller Coracias garrulus L. (Risk degree: NT):Rollers are one of the winter migratory species in Turkey. In the study area this bird is not under the risk of hunting. However, the bird can be affected from the chemical pesticides used in fruit-growing activities in the region.

Kruper’s nuthatch sitta krueperi pelzeln (Risk degree VU):
It is one of the three Nuthatch species distributed in Turkey. It is estimated that 2/3 of the world population of Kruper’s Nuthatch is distributed in Turkey. This bird’s population development is considered as vulnerable. The habitat of this species is broad-leaved, old forests. In the study area this bird intensively uses Kasnak Oak Nature Protected Area. There is no risk of hunting for this species.

Threatening analysis table:
The existing and future threats on bird and mammal species in the study area were determined based on field and office studies (Table 6).

Strategically plane:
The strategic planning for the bird and mammal species distributed in Yukarigokdere shown in Table 7.

Observing of target species:
The target species identified in the study area should be monitored and should be separately evaluated in terms of population.

Table 7:	Strategically plane

Table 8:	Record form for observing of target species
M: Male, F: Female, J: Junenile, Y: Total

In addition, ecosystem damage should be controlled. The form that should be used and the information to be collected for carrying out these studies are given in Table 8. The information of observing of target species population and ecosystem in this study as:

•CSpecies name

•CPopulation size

•CPopulation density

•CSex rates

•CAge dispersions (for mammals)

•CNatality rate

•CMortality rate

•CMigrations

•CEcosystem loss

•CHabitat division

•CChanging of main stand

•CDegrading of Herbaceous plants and shrub species

•CGlobal warming effect

Determining of critical ecosystems and special areas:
Endangered or vulnerable species important for scientific studies, habitats of endemic species in Turkey, biosphere reserves, biotopes, biogenetic reserve areas, unique geologic and geomorphologic formations fall into the group of areas that are of critical importance or characteristics. Kasnak Oak Nature Protected Area is the uniquely critically important area in the study area with its plant and wild animal species. This area contains the majority of the fauna and target species populations identified in the study area. For this reason, conservation status prohibiting human activity except scientific studies should be pursued in this area. However, there is a dilemma towards protected areas between local people and protected areas managers in terms of the goals and objects. In other words, while managers might be concerned about the conservation of natural resources, local people may be more concerned about the economic benefits of the natural resources (Alkan et al., 2009).

CONCLUSION

The dwellers of Yukarigokdere village earn their lives from fruit growing. The villagers have a high-income level thus have no expectation of making profit from the forest. Because of this there are only 3-4 shepherds and flocks within the forest area which do not harm the habitat. However, wolves attack the flocks on occasional basis and the hunters, whose flocks are injured go wolf hunting. For preventing this damage to the wolves which already have a sparse population, the damages caused by the wolves should be compensated.

One part of the study area belongs to Egirdir Mountain Commando Unit military exercise training area. During military trainings, almost every part of the area is used and long-term camping is organized. These exercises should be carried out except reproduction season of many species and springtime. Although, there are species like wolf, brown hare, woodcock, partridge and wild boar which are commercially permitted to be hunted in the study area as these species do not have sufficient populations, they currently have no economic value.

Apart from these species, red fox, beech marten, rock dove, turtle dove, blackbird, jay, hooded crow which have adequate population are permitted to be hunted in Turkey. These species are allowed to be hunted in the study area. Red squirrel and Krupers nuthatch which are among the endangered category according to world red list were found to have a good population in the study area. All of these three species are mostly distributed in Kasnak Oak Forest which is a Nature Protected Area. Therefore, there is no conservation problem for these species in the study area. As Roller is migratory bird in the study area, it was not included in population planning.

Among the species, which were known to live in the study area there is a possibility of re-distribution in the area only for Wild goat and Griffon vulture (since they are still distributed in neighboring areas). Griffon vulture is an indicator species of wild goat. Therefore, if wild goat population increases in the study area and if they return to their habitats following wild goats, Griffon vulture will also return to the area. However, as it cannot be foreseen how long would this process takes there is no current need for making a planning for these species.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The GEF Project of the World Bank in Turkey provided funding for the development of this research. The researchers would like to thank the staff at the Turkish Forest Service, particularly Isparta forest management department.