We, The Inhabitants of Mountain Areas - Turkey

WE, THE INHABITANTS OF MOUNTAIN AREAS

Poland Turkey Slovakia

One of the main aims of the project is to make a map of the mountains and

mountain ranges of areas where participants of the project live. Our common

work should show students the influence of the mountains on their

inhabitants. The project is to encourage students to learn about other

countries, their culture and to teach respect and tolerance

Bats and Caves of the Yıldız Mountains

By: Busenur İnan Kırklareli Merkez Ticaret Meslek Lisesi

Despite the difficult living conditions like darkness and low nutrition sources, caves accommodate many species. According to their

utilization type of the caves, organisms that are found in underground habitats can be classified under three groups: Trogloxens,

troglophiles, and troglobites. Trogloxens are temporal cave inhabitants that use caves either for accommodation or as a shelter. They

have to leave cave periodically in order to find food, to breed or to migrate. The most important members of this group are mainly

cave-dwelling bat species, bears, snakes, foxes and swallows. Troglophiles are organisms that are capable of living both in

underground or terrestrial habitats. Although they have adapted to survive in underground habitats, they can as well live terrestrial

habitats in appropriate conditions. Some bee species, pigmented worms, millipedes and centipedes are in this group. Troglobites, on

the other hand, are exclusive cave-dwellers. They cannot survive outside of underground habitats. They have adapted long antennas

and organs that are capable of sensing sound vibrations to survive in the total darkness of the caves. Most of the creatures in this

group are pigmentless or have low vision abilities. Blind cave salamanders, cave crayfish, and cave spiders are some examples of

troglobites.

Absolute darkness and low amount of food are some of the main characteristics of cave habitats. The most important difference

between subterranean and terrestrial habitats is the stable environmental conditions of caves. Unlike the conditions of terrestrial

habitats, caves have almost constant temperature and humidity throughout the year. This makes caves habitats unique and very

vulnerable. Any changes in the conditions of cave ecosystems threaten the lives of cave inhabitants. Like many other habitat types,

cave habitats are threatened by humans. Factors like tourism in caves, mining, stone and marble quarries result in major disturbances

in cave habitats. Since cave invertebrates and cave-dwelling bat species are highly dependent on the underground habitats, they are

especially vulnerable to any impact on it. In order to ensure the survival of these species, conservation of cave habitats deserves prime

importance.

Underground habitats have a unique role for cave-dwelling bats. Most of the cave dwelling bat species prefer different types of caves

for hibernation and maternity periods. Different species have different roost selection preferences for the same period of the year.

This indicates that temperature, humidity, air currents and interaction with other species have an important affect on bats when

choosing a cave. Bat species which have a high degree of dependence on cave habitats will be highly affected by the destruction of

these habitats. Since bats generally live in large colonies, the destruction of underground habitats will result in a sudden decrease in

their population. It is obvious that the protection of caves in which bats breed and hibernate is especially important.

Schreiber’s bat (Miniopterus Schreibersii) colony hibernating in Dupnisa Cave. In the winter period there are over 20,000

hibernating bats in these caves.

A cave dwelling Troglobitic Millipede. Troglobitic means that this creature only lives

inside the caves. Most of the Troglobites are white or have no colour, because

without light, they lost their functioning eyes and pigmentation through

generations.

Hibernating Greater Horseshoe (Rhinolophus Ferrumequinum) Bats. Bats live hanging upside down from the ceilings of

caves.

There are more than 1000 bat species worldwide and they are the only flying mammals.

There are two major groups in bats: megabats usually feed on fruits and microbats usually feed on insects and moths.

Bats have an important role in the ecosystem as they are the main predators of the insects that are active during the

night. Although bats have eyes they use sound waves to find their way. Because there is very limited light at night and the

caves where they live are in absolute darkness.

Caves are among the important habitats as they have unique features such as constant temperature and darkness. Most

of the species living in the caves are adapted to these environments and cannot live anywhere else.

Caves were also important for humans too. Humans in the old ages used caves as shelter. Therefore, in many of the caves,

there are signs of ancient civilisations. Another important feature of the caves are related to the underground water.

The name of “Horseshoe” bats (Rhinolophus sp.) is coming from the horseshoe shaped

protuberances on their noses. The emit echo-location calls through these structures,

which may serve to focus the sound.

Horseshoe bats are among the most common bat species in the region. There are five

horseshoe bats in Turkey and four of them have colonies in the caves in the Yıldız

Mountains. These species are very fragile against the disturbance and the existing colonies

show that the caves in Yıldız all well preserved. Another important bat in the region is

Schreibers’ Long-Fingered Bats (Miniopterus Schreibersii). More than 20,000 Schreiber

bats hibernate in a single colony in Dupnisa Cave. Although Dupnisa has been opened to

the public it is still one of the most important underground habitats in the Yıldız

Mountains. Especially during the winter period, it has the biggest bat population size. All

of the recorded bat species are under protection according to the ‘Bern Convention’ and

the caves that they inhabit have to be protected too.

Schreibers’ Long-Fingered bats rely mainly on echo-location, but they don’t have protuberances on their noses like the

Horseshoe bat, instead they “shout” through their open mouths to project their

ultrasound beam and catch the sound with their relatively large ears.

The wings of the bat are actually their skin stretched

between their fingers. They fly perfectly in pitch black

darkness through the narrowest of passages.

A cave spider (Mete Menardi). While many invertebrates eat wood or the food sources

from guano (bat excrement), the cave spiders eat these invertebrates.

There are many different species of cave spiders all over the world but some of them

can only be found in Thrace.

Spiders change their skin from time to time. Their new skin is white at the beginning,

then in time they change colour. In the caves they remain like this for some time.

A woodlice (Ligidium Hypnorum). They eat the decomposing wood pieces, coming into

the caves from the rain or carried by animals.

Guano (bat excrement) is the only food source for the cave dwelling invertebrates in

most caves, because there are no other food growing or carried inside.

If the bats leave the caves then all the creatures that live inside will perish.

Osprey (Pandion Heliaetus)

Short-Toed Snake-Eagle

(Circaetus Gallicus)

Greater Spotted Eagle

(Aquila Clanga)

White-Tailed Eagle

(Haliaetus Albicilla)

Common Kingfisher

(Alcedo Atthis)

Western March-Harrier

(Circus Aeruginosus)

Egyptian Vulture (Neophron

Percnopterus)

Lesser Kestrel (Falco Naumanni)

Great White Pelican

(Pelecanus Onocrotalus)

Hawfinch (Coccothraustes Coccothraustes)

Great Tit (Parus Major)

Black-Headed Bunting

(Emberiza Melanocephala)

Blue Tit (Parus Caeruleus)

White Wagtail (Motacilla Alba)

Red-Backed Shrike

(Lanius Collurio)

Grey Heron (Ardea Cinerea)

White Stork (Ciconia Ciconia)

Black Stork (Ciconia Nigra)

Little Egret (Egretta Garzetta)

European Robin (Erithacus Rubecula)

Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax Carbo)

Chaffinch (Fringilla Coelebs)

Eurasian Golden-Oriole

(Oriolus Oriolus)

European Bee-Eater

(Merops Apiaster)

Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla Flava)

Northern Lapwing

(Vanellus Vanellusva)

Mallard (Anas Platyrhynchos)

Common Coot (Fulica Atra)

Eurasian Oystercatcher

(Haematopus Ostralegus) By: Çiğdem Katılmaz Kırklareli Merkez Ticaret Meslek Lisesi

Butterflies of the

Yıldız Mountains

By: Busenur İnan

Kırklareli Merkez

Ticaret Meslek Lisesi

SWALLOWTAIL Papilio Machaon

Habitat: Various types, up to altitude of 3000m.

Flight Period: March to October

Localities: Dereköy, between the lakes of Deniz and

Saka, Mert Lake, between the lakes of Pedina and

Hamam

PEAR TREE SWALLOWTAIL Iphiclides Podalirius

Habitat: Parks, gardens, fields and open woodlands and

also places with sloe thickets and particularly orchards (up

to 1500m )

Flight Period: March to September

Localities: Dereköy, between the streams of Deringeçit and

Uzunalan, Dupnisa (Sarpdere), between the streams of

Yavuz and Bulanık

LARGE WHITE Pieris Brassicae

Habitat: Most kinds of habitat, mostly fields and

roadsides


Localities: Dereköy, Dupnisa (Sarpdere)

SMALL WHITE Pieris (Artogeia) Rapae

Habitat: Various; often fields, parks and gardens

Flight Period: March to November

Localities: Dereköy, Erikli Lake, between the lakes of

Pedina and Hamam, between the streams of Yavuz and

Bulanık

DARK CLOUDED YELLOW Colias Crocea

Habitat: Meadow, along woodland rides


Localities: Dereköy, Avcılar, Dupnisa (Sarpdere),

İğneada, Mert Lake, between the lakes of Pedina and

Hamam

PAINTED LADY Cynthia Cardui

Habitat: Many kinds


Localities: Dereköy, Demirköy, Avcılar, Balaban (Velika),

between the lakes of Deniz and Saka, Dupnisa

(Sarpdere), Erikli Lake, İğneada, north-west İğneada,

Longoz, Mert Lake, between the lakes of Pedina and

Hamam, Sislioba, between the streams of Yavuz and

Bulanık

GREEN HAIRSTREAK Callophrys Rubi

Habitat: Wide variety of habitats up to 2300m, including

hillsides, moorland, chalk downland, heathland, railway

embankments ad valley bottoms. A common feature of all

these habitats is the presence of scrubby plants and

hedgerows.

Flight Period: March to July

Localities: North-west İğneada, Longoz, between the

streams of Yavuz and Bulanık

HIGH BROWN FRITILLARY Argynnis (Fabriciana) Adippe

Habitat: Open places

Flight Period: June to August

Localities: Dereköy, Erikli Lake, between the streams of

Yavuz and Bulanık

SILVER-WASHED FRITILLARY Argynnis (s.str.) Paphia

Habitat: Mostly forest areas from the sea level to 1500m


Localities: Dereköy, north-west İğneada, between the

streams of Yavuz and Bulanık

CARDINAL Argynnis (Pandoriana) Pandora

Habitat: Meadows and dry places up to 2500m

Flight Period: June to September

Localities: Dereköy, Avcılar, Dupnisa (Sarpdere),

Limanköy,Mert Lake

HERMIT Chazara Briseis

Habitat: Various places from sea level to 2000m,

sometimes up to 2500m, e.g meadows, scrubs

Flight Period: May to October

Localities: Between the lakes of Deniz and Saka, Erikli

Lake, between the lakes of Pedina and Hamam, between

the streams of Yavuz and Bulanık

WALL BUTTERFLY Lasiommata Megera

Habitat: Woodland clearings, scrubs along river sides,

parks and rocky places from the sea level to 3000m


Localities: Dereköy, between the streams of

Deringeçit and Uzunalan, north-west İğneada,

between the lakes of Pedina and Hamam, between

the streams of Yavuz and Bulanık

GLANVILLE FRITILLARY Melitaea Cinxia

Habitat: Various habitat types from sea level to 2500m

Flight Period: May to September

Locality: İğneada-Longoz area, Göbekçioğlu,

SPOTTED FRITILLARY Poygonia C-Album

Habitat: Dry and open meadow and openings in forests

from sea level to 2300m

Flight Period: April to September

Localities: Dereköy, Avcılar

COMMA BUTTERFLY Melitaea Didyma

Habitat: Gardens, parks and woodlands from sea level to

2000m

Flight Period: March to August

Localities: Dereköy, between the lakes of Deniz and Saka,

Erikli Lake, Longoz, Mert Lake

MEADOW BROWN Maniola Jurtina

Habitat: Meadow, forests clearings and woodlands from

sea level to 2000m

Flight Period: May to September

Localities: Dereköy, Avcılar, between the streams of

Deringeçit and Uzunalan, Dupnisa (Sarpdere), İğneada,

north-west İğneada, Limanköy, Longoz, Mert Lake,

Sislioba, between the streams of Yavuz and Bulanık

SMALL HEATH Coenonympha Pamphilus

Habitat: Mostly dry areas, meadows, wetlands from

sea level to 2700m. Often seen on grasses in parks and

gardens


Localities: Dereköy, Demirköy, Avcılar, Balaban

(Velika), north-west İğneada, Limanköy, Longoz, Mert

Lake, between the lakes of Pedina and Hamam,

Sislioba

HOLLY BLUE Celastrina Argiolus

Habitat: Many kinds up to 1900m, often woodland

clearings, parks and gardens



Saka, Mert Lake, between the lakes of Pedina and

Hamam

ILEX HAIRSTREAK Satyrium (Nordmannia) Ilicis

Habitat: Oak plantations, hedgerows and thickets up to

1800m

Flight Period: May to August

Localities: Erikli Lake, between the lakes of Pedina and

Hamam

PURPLE-SHOT COPPER Heodes (Alciphronia) Alciphron

Habitat: Mountain slopes and flowered meadows

between 800-2000m

Flight Period: July to August

Localities: Between the streams of Deringeçit and

Uzunalan, Longoz

SMALL COPPER Lycaena (s.str.) Phlaeas

Habitat: Various habitats from sea level to 2400m



Saka, between the streams of Deringeçit and Uzunalan,

between the streams of Yavuz and Bulanık

LARGE SKIPPER Ochlodes Venatus

Habitat: Various kinds such as woodland clearings and

meadows, from sea level to 1800m


Locality: Dereköy

SMALL SKIPPER Thymelicus Sylvestris

Habitat: Rough grassland, where tall grasses grow,

and also on roadside verges, hedgerows, overgrown

downland, in woodland clearings and along woodland

rides up to 2000m

Flight Period: May to August

Localities: Between the lakes of Deniz and Saka,

Longoz, Mert Lake

HUMMINGBIRD HAWKMOTH Macroglossum Stellatarum

Habitat: Flowered open areas

Flight Period: Almost all seasons, even sunny days in

winter

Localities: Limanköy, between the streams of Yavuz

and Bulanık

Common Mushrooms of the Yıldız Mountains

By: Cihan Özkan

Edible and Export Value Mushrooms

Boletus Edulis Boletus Aereus Amanita

Caesarea Hydnum

Repandum Craterelleus

Cornucopioides

Cantharellus Cibariu

Cantharellus Tubeaformis Morchella Elata Hygrophoru

s Marzuolus Calocybe Gambosa

Edible Mushrooms

Lepista Nuda Coprinus Comatus

Russula Virescens

Lactarius Deliciosus

Pleurotus Ostreatus

Macrolepiota Procera

Fistulina Hepatica

Laccaria Amethystina

Agaricus Campestris

Marasmius Oreades

Cortinarius Violaceus

Inedible and Suspicious Mushrooms

Tricholoma Sulphureum

Ganoderma Lucidum Scleroderma

Citrinum

Tricholoma Saponaceum

Stropharia Euriginosa Helvella Crispa Russula Foetens

Mainly Poisonous Mushrooms

Clitocybe Candicans

Amanita Muscaria

Amanita Pantherina

Russula Emetica

Tricholoma Pardinum

Boletus Satanas

Entoloma Lividum

Omphalotus Olearius

Agaricus Xanthoderma

Ramaria Formosa

Mainly Fatal Mushrooms

Inocybe Patouillardii

Cortinarius Orellanus

Amanita Virosa

Amanita Phalloides

Amanita Verna

Sacrosphaera Crassa

Gyromitra Esculanta

Paxillus Involutus

Galerina Marginata

Lepiot Helveola

By: Harika Yenigün Kırklareli Merkez Ticaret Meslek Lisesi

Mosquito Fish (Gasmbusia Affinis)

European Bream (Vimba Vimba)

Its homeland is America and it has been brought to our country to fight towards mosquitoes and malaria in the southern parts. It has the tolerance for the calm, shallow and warm waters. It can survive from 0 to 30 degrees. It is especially fed by mosquito’s larvae. Males are between 3-5 cm, females are 6 cm. Additionally, it eats algae and crustaceans. Between April-October, the males leave the sperms to the reproductive organs of the females. The pregnancy continues approximately 30 days and female gives birth to approximately 60 fish fries-fingerlings.

It is found the Northern Aegean, Marmara, Thrace and region of lakes. It lives in the sandy and muddy bottom of flat and heavy flowering water. It can have length of 25-35 cm. and reach to 50 cm. maximum and weight of 450-500 gr. It can reach to maturity in 3-4 years old and breeds between May and June.

Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus Mykiss)

Barbel (Barbus Barbus)

It has North America origin. It is around the world to be raised and in the meantime it has been brought to our country. The males reach to the breeding maturity in 2; females do in 3 years old. It is a type which can easily adapted for cultivation and has tolerance to salted sea water. It is left with the aim of providing fish in the inland water. As there are escapes from the cultivation plants, they can be seen in the other inland water areas. It is a type which has an important share in the cultivation of seafood. It can be cultivated in the sea through cages apart from the value with its tasty flesh and productivity.

Generally, it has the length of 30-50 cm. and weight of 0,5-2 kg. maximum 3 kg. The bigger ones are rarely found. It lives in the clear and sandy bottoms of fast rivers rich of oxygen. It has types in the various areas of our country. It breeds between May and June and produces 5000-30 000 eggs. Its eggs are poisonous in this period. Its flesh is not valuable but it has a value for hunting.

Rudd (Scardinius Erythreophthalmus)

Tubenose Goby (Proterorhinus Marmoratus)

It is frequently found in the bottom parts of rivers falling into Black Sea. Its life is similar to gobies and has length of 11-12 cm. maximum. The females that are mature in 2-3 years produce eggs. The males guard the eggs. It is fed by molluscs and small shrimps.

It lives during 10-12 years by feeding with molluscs and plants in soft-based bottom of non-cold slow flow of rivers, lakes and ponds. It has a length 0f 20-40 cm. and 200-400 weight. It matures in 3-4 years old and produces 600 000 eggs per each kg/weight.

Roach (Rutilus Rutilus)

Minnow (Phoxinus Phoxinus)

It lives in the rivers of coastal parts of Northern Anatolia, Black Sea, Thrace and Marmara. It grows up to 25-30 cm. and 50 cm. maximum. It is fed by small creatures and plants. It breeds in spring and produces 50-100 000 eggs.

It is found especially in the rivers in the Thrace Region. It can be in 7-10 cm. and 14 cm. maximum (the females). It lives by eating the insects, flies, bottom fishes and fish eggs in surface water in the gravelly areas of lakes and oxygen-rich bottoms of rivers with clear water. It is a small fish which is fast moving and clever. It sticks approximately 1000 eggs to the stones in May-June. In the early phases of reproduction pearl-like scales occur on the upper part of its head.

Stickleback (Gasterosteus Aculeatus)

Gudgeon (Gobio Gobio)

It is small fish living in the hard water of rivers that are integrated with the seas, coastal parts of the seas and from time to time in the rivers. It has a length of 7-9 cm. and its body is formed by thick scales. It is an interesting fish with the beauty of various colours and guarding of 300-1000 eggs by the males.

Different types have different names in the rivers of our country. It reaches to 15-20 cm. of length by slow growing in 5-6 years. It lives in the underwater without moving often. It weakly breeds in 12-18 degree of water in April-June, females produce 1000-3000 eggs.

Sand Smelt (Atherina Boyeri)

Carp (Cyprinus Carpio)

It widely exists in our seas and inland water. It is fed by insect larvae and underwater animals. It leaves approximately 600 sticky eggs to the sandy and gravelly bottoms in the reproduction period of May-September. It is eaten by the waterfalls during travelling in herds closer to the water surfaces.

It has been cultivated since the 13th-14th centuries, it can be cultivated easily. It has a tasty flesh and high economic value. It is matured in 3-4 cm. of length and 100-500 gr. of weight. There also naturally grown ones with 100 cm. and 25 kg. Its sportive hunting is valuable. It is fed by water insects, warms and other animals.

Silver Carp (Carassius Auratus Gibelio)

Mirror Carp (Cyprinus Carpio)

It is a Carrasius type which is widely found in the rivers which have soft ground and many plants in the Thrace and Eastern Black Sea. It has a fast growth and in 3-4 years old it reaches to 15-20 cm. Bigger ones can also exist. It produces 160-380 000 eggs between May-June. It is used as ornamental fish in the pools and aquariums.

It is the most suitable type for cultivation among the sub species of Carp which are known as Naked-Striped and Mirror Carp. It is cultivated in different regions and especially in the dam lakes because it is easy to produce it. Its life is similar to Carp.

Mammals of the Yıldız

Mountains

By: Cihan Özkan Kırklareli Merkez Ticaret Meslek Lisesi

Red Deer (Cervus Elaphus)

The red deer (Cervus elaphus) is one of the largest deer species. The red deer

inhabits most of Europe, the Caucasus Mountains region, Asia Minor, parts of

western Asia, and central Asia. It also inhabits the Atlas Mountains region

between Morocco and Tunisia in northwestern Africa, being the only species of

deer to inhabit Africa. Red deer have been introduced to other areas

including Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. In many parts of the world the

meat (venison) from red deer is used as a food source.

Roe Deer (Capreolus Capreolus)

The European Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus), also known as the Western

Roe Deer or chevreuil, is a Eurasian species of deer. It is relatively small, reddish

and grey-brown, and well-adapted to cold environments. Roe Deer are

widespread in Western Europe, from the Mediterranean to Scandinavia, and from

the British Isles to the Caucasus. It is distinct from the somewhat larger Siberian

Roe Deer.

European Otter (Lutra Lutra)

The European Otter is the most widely distributed otter species, its range including

parts of Asia and Africa as well as being spread across Europe. It is believed to be

currently extinct in Liechtenstein, and Switzerland. They are now very common

in Latvia, along the coast of Norway and across Great Britain,

especially Shetland where 12% of the UK breeding population exist. Ireland has the

highest density of Eurasian otters in Europe. In Italy, they can be found in

the Calore river area. These creatures live in the South Korean area, and

are endangered.

Common Dolphin (Delphinus Delphis)

Dolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are

almost forty species of dolphin in 17 genera. They vary in size from 1.2 m (4 ft) and 40 kg

(90 lb) (Maui's dolphin), up to 9.5 m (30 ft) and 10 tonnes (9.8 long tons; 11 short tons)

(the orca or killer whale). They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of

the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating fish and squid.

The family Delphinidae is the largest in the Cetacean order, and evolved relatively recently,

about ten million years ago, during the Miocene. Dolphins are among the most intelligent

animals, and their often friendly appearance and seemingly playful attitude have made them

popular in human culture.

Wolf (Canis Lupus)

The Eurasian Wolf (Canis lupus lupus), has the largest range among wolf subspecies and is

the most common in Europe and Asia, ranging

through Mongolia, China, Russia, Scandinavia, Western Europe and the Himalayan Mountains.

Compared to their North American cousins, Eurasian wolves tend to have longer, more highly

placed ears, narrower heads, more slender loins and coarser, tawnier coloured fur. Compared

to Indian wolves, Eurasian wolves are larger, and have longer, broader skulls. In Europe, wolves

rarely form large packs like in North America, as their lives are more strongly influenced by

human activities. Because of this, Eurasian wolves tend to be more adaptable than North

American wolves in the face of human expansion.

Red Fox (Vulpes Vulpes)

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the largest of the true foxes, as well as being the most

geographically spread member of the Carnivora, being distributed across the

entire northern hemisphere from the Arctic Circle to North Africa, Central America, and

the steppes of Asia. Its range has increased alongside human expansion, having been

introduced to Australia, where it is considered harmful to native mammal and bird

populations. Because of these factors, it is listed as Least Concern for extinction by

the IUCN. It is listed among the "world's 100 worst invasive species".

Golden Jackal (Canis Aureus)

The golden jackal (Canis Aureus) is indigenous to north and northeastern Africa,

southeastern and central Europe (up to Austria and Hungary), Asia Minor, the Middle East

and southeast Asia. It is classed by the IUCN as Least Concern, due to its widespread

range in areas with optimum food and shelter. Despite its name, the golden jackal is not

closely related to other jackal species, with morphological and molecular studies indicating

a greater affinity to the grey wolf and coyote. It is a social species, whose basic social unit

consists of a breeding pair, followed by its offspring. The golden jackal is highly adaptable,

being able to exploit many different foodstuffs, from fruit and insects to small ungulates.

Brown Hare (Lepus Europeus)

The European hare (Lepus europaeus), also known as the brown hare, Eastern

Jackrabbit and Eastern prairie hare, is a species of hare native to northern, central,

and western Europe and western Asia. It is a mammal adapted to temperate open

country. It is related to the similarly appearing rabbit, which is in the same family but a

different genus. It breeds on the ground rather than in a burrow and relies on speed to

escape.

Red Squirrel (Sciurus Vulgaris)

The red squirrel or Eurasian red

squirrel (Sciurus vulgaris) is

a species of tree squirrel in

the genus Sciurus common

throughout Eurasia. The red squirrel is

an arboreal, omnivorous rodent.

In Great Britain and Ireland, numbers have

decreased drastically in recent years, in

part because of the introduction of

the eastern grey squirrel (Sciurus

carolinensis) from North America.

Marbled Polecat (Vormela Peregusna)

The marbled polecat (V. peregusna) is a small mammal belonging to

the monotypic genus Vormela within the Mustelinae subfamily. Vormelais from

the German word Würmlein, which means "little Worm". The term peregusna comes from

pereguznya, which is Ukrainian for polecat. Marbled polecats are generally found in the

dryer areas and grasslands of south-eastern Europe to western China. Like other

members of Mustelinae, it can emit a strong smelling secretion from anal sacs under the

tail when threatened.

Marten (Martes)

Martens are slender, agile animals, adapted to living in taigas, and are found in

coniferous and northern deciduous forests across the northern hemisphere. They

have bushy tails, and large paws with partially retractable claws. The fur varies from

yellowish to dark brown, depending on the species, and, in many cases, is valued by fur

trappers.

Badger (Meles Meles)

The European badger is a social

burrowing animal which lives on a

wide variety of plant and animal

food. It is very fussy over the

cleanliness of its burrow, and

defecates in latrines. Cases are

known of European badgers burying

their dead family members.

Although ferocious when provoked,

a trait which was once exploited

for the blood sport of badger-

baiting, the European badger is

generally a peaceful animal, having

been known to share its burrows

with other species such

as rabbits, red foxes and raccoon

dogs. Although it does not usually

prey on domestic stock, the species

is nonetheless alleged to damage

livestock through spreading bovine

tuberculosis.

Wildcat (Felis Silvestris)

The wildcat (Felis silvestris) is a small cat (Felinae) native to Europe, the western part

of Asia, and Africa. It is a hunter of small mammals, birds, and other creatures of a similar

or smaller size. There are several subspecies distributed in different regions of the world.

Sometimes included is the ubiquitous domestic cat (as F. s. catus), which has been

introduced to every habitable continent and most of the world's larger islands, and

has become feral in many of those environments.

Wild Boar (Sus Scrofa)

Wild boar, also wild pig, (Sus scrofa)

is a species of the pig genus Sus, part

of the biological family Suidae. The

species includes many subspecies. It is

the wild ancestor of the domestic pig,

an animal with which it freely

hybridises. Wild boar are native

across much of Northern

and Central Europe,

the Mediterranean Region (including

North Africa's Atlas Mountains) and

much of Asia as far south

as Indonesia. Populations have also

been artificially introduced in some

parts of the world, most notably the

Americas and Australasia, principally

for hunting. Elsewhere, populations

have also become established after

escapes of wild boar from captivity.

Eastern Hedgehog (Erinaceus Concolor)

The Southern White-breasted Hedgehog (Erinaceus concolor), sometimes referred to

as East European Hedgehog, White-bellied Hedgehog or White-chested

Hedgehog, is very similar in lifestyle and appearance to the European Hedgehog, but the

former has a white spot on its chest. For a long time these two species were considered to

be one. Unlike its European counterpart, the Southern White-breasted Hedgehog never digs

dens. It prefers building grass nests in secluded places. Its main source of food is insects such

as grasshoppers and flies, which it hunts with surprising speed and accuracy.

Common Mole (Talpa Europea)

The European Mole, Talpa europaea, is a mammal of the order Soricomorpha. It is also

known as the Common Mole and the Northern Mole.

This mole lives in an underground tunnel system, which it constantly extends. It uses these

tunnels to hunt its prey. Under normal conditions the displaced earth is pushed to the

surface, resulting in the characteristic molehills. It feeds mainly on earthworms, but also

on insects, centipedes and even mice and shrews. Its saliva contains toxins which paralyze

earthworms in particular.

Miller’s Water Shrew (Neomys Anomalus)

The Mediterranean or Miller'

s Water Shrew (Neomys

anomalus) is a species

of mammal in

the Soricidae family.

This shrew is found in Albania, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and

Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech

Republic, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Italy,

Liechtenstein, Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Serbia and

Montenegro, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, and Ukraine

It feeds mainly on amphibians

and small fish, but also take

insects and worms. Because of

its small size and thus higher

surface area to volume ratio, it

loses body heat more quickly

and must eat 2-3 times its body

mass each day!

Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus Ferrumequinum)

The Greater Horseshoe Bat (Rhinolophus ferrumequinum) is a European bat of

the Rhinolophus genus. Its distribution covers Europe, Africa, South Asia and Australia. It is

the largest of the European Horseshoe Bats and is thus easily distinguished from other

species. The species is sedentary, travelling between 20 and 30 km between the winter and

summer roosts, with the longest recorded movement being 180 km. The species is notable

as having the oldest recorded age for any European bat, with a bat living for over 30 years.

The frequencies used by this bat species for echolocation lie between 69–83 kHz, have

most energy at 81 kHz and have an average duration of 37.4 ms.

Red Mullet (Mullus Barbatus)

Twaite Shad (Alosa Fallax)

They live in herds in the depths up to 300m. in the sandy and muddy shores of warm and temperate seas. It grows approximately from 12-15cm. to maximum 40cm. They seasonally migrate from the deep to the coast in according to the water temperature. They live approximately 10 years. It produces 15-100 000 eggs between April-June.

Shad is a Black Sea fish which can reach to 30-33cm. It is rarely found in İstanbul Bosphorus and Marmara. They live close to shores in many places. Their breeding season is spring. They enter rivers and hard water areas to live their eggs. Shad is from of the family sardines and it can be eaten as salt fish and smoked. It has a high economic value.

Bluefish (Pomatomus Saltador)

Turbot (Psetta Maxsima)

Bluefish, as a floating fish, travels between the Black Sea and Aegean Sea, it is named differently according to the stages in the growth. Accordingly: the ones with the length, up to 10cm. are: Defneyaprağı, ones up to15-18cm. are: Çinakop, ones up to 18-25cm. are: Sarıkanat, ones up to 28-35cm. are: Bluefish, ones up more than 35cm. are: Kofana. Rarely, large blue fish exceeds 60cm. even it reaches to 1m. The most delicious and ripe period of bluefish is fall and winter months. From the mid-summer to the autumn, it passes to winter. The fall and winter months are the most delicious and ripe periods of Bluefish. It passes to winter from mid- summer to autumn. It lives in the 10-200m. depths of warm water. It gradually gives 60-80 000 eggs. It has a high economic value because of its productiveness and its delicious flavour.

Turbot is a bottom-fish which is among the most popular fishes of Black Sea. It is rarely found in Bosphorus, Marmara, Aegean and Mediterranean. It is not a mobile fish. All his life is lying on the bottom. Other pieces of Black shield exist in the western Mediterranean, Atlantic Ocean and North Sea. It has a life of 25-30 years and it can reach to 1m. In the coasts, starting from 5-10m. it can go down to the depth of 300-400m. It is a highly carnivorous and voracious fish. Males mature and produce in 5-6 years old; females do in 6-7 years old. Their reproduction continues from April to June in 10-15 degree of water. Its economic value is high with the taste and productiveness in addition to the millions of egg that it produces.

Bonito (Sarda Sarda)

Brown Meagre (Sciana Umbra)

It is the most famous fish of Black Sea and Marmara. In the spring, it travels to Black Sea to be fed and in autumn it travels to Marmara and goes up to Çanakkale to pass the winter. It is fast moving and good swimmer. It eats the fishes in herds like Mackerel, horse mackerel, anchovy, sardine fish by attacking them. It breeds in 18-20 degree of open seas by producing eggs from 400 000 to a few million. It is named differently according to the growing levels: Up to 10 it is Vanoz-Gaco, 10-25cm. is Gypsies bonito, 30-35cm. is Bonito, 40-45cm. is Bonito Chestnut, 50-55cm. is Zindandelen, 55-60cm. is Atlantic Bonito, 60-65cm. is Sivri, 65-70cm. is Altıparmak and 70cm. and above is named as Peçuta.

It lives in the 100-150m. stony, rocky and coral areas of warm and temperate seas, It exists in all of our seas. It is not a mobile fish. It breeds in the late spring and summer and it reaches to the length of 30-35cm. and weight of 500-600gr. Its white and tasty flesh has a high economic value.

Garfish (Sargan, Black-striped Pipefish, Sea Woodcock)

(Belone Belone)

Striped Red Mullet (Mullus Surmelutus)

Garfish approximately has a life of 18 years and its length reaches to 60-70cm. or sometimes to 1m. It is fed by small fishes like Anchovy, sprat, silverside and Scad fish. It is a local fish of temperate seas. It is a nimble and fast moving fish by means of its form. It can swim by jumping to the surface to protect himself. It has a valuable meat. It gives 30-50 000 eggs from spring to the autumn.

Their length can be reach to 25cm. maximum. They live in the 3m. to 100m. deep parts of sandy, muddy or rocky shores. They are fed by the crustaceans, insects and other creatures in the bottom. In the summer, they are reproduced and they leave the adhesive eggs in 10-60m. of depth. It has a high economic value.

Annular Sea Bream (Dipladus Annularis)

Sprat, Garvock (Sprattus Sprattus)

Their length can be between 15-35 and it can reach to 25cm. maximum. They live in the 3m. to 100m. deep parts of sandy , muddy or rocky shores. They are fed by the crustaceans, insects and other creatures in the bottom. In the summer, they are reproduced and they leave the adhesive eggs in 10-60m. of depth. It has a high economic value.

It is from the family of sardine-shad. It has a length of 6-8cm. The ones which have length of 13-15cm. can be found in the western Black Sea. It is fed by plankton and fish fry-fingerling. They live in herds. It breeds between May and June. It is a food for the fishes like Mackerel, bonito, Atlantic bonito.

Anchovy (Engraulis Encrasicolus)

Mullet (Mugilidae)

They live in herds and grow up to 20cm. Between January and March, they get closer to shores and they can be hunted. They exist in 30-40m. of depth during the day and in the surface at night. From the age of one, they reach to maturity and breed in the depth of 25-60m. in 18-20 degree in less salted seas, they produces 40 000 eggs. It has a tasty and high economic value of flesh with various consumption aspects

It is common species in our seas. They can grow up to 30-40 and maximum 75cm. They are shy and agile like all the sea bass. They travel between open sea and coasts. Sometimes, they enter to brackish water, lagoons and even rivers; it is fed by plants in the sea bottom and molluscs. It breeds in summer and produces 150 000-1 million eggs. It has a high economic value with its tasty flesh and eggs that are marketed after being waxed.

Black Goby (Gobius Niger)

Shi Drum (Umbrna Cirrosa)

They live closer to the river mouth or sometimes in the brackish water areas in our seas, in the sandy, muddy bottoms up to 75m. and they don’t migrate frequently. They can reach maximum 10 18-19cm. They are reproduced with eggs between 1000-6000 in March-May. These eggs are guarded by the males. They are fed by small crustaceans, molluscs and fishes. Their flesh is white, tasty and useful.

It lives alone in the bottom of 100-150m. in the stony and rocky areas of all our seas. From time to time, it enters to the brackish water and river mouth. It is fed by shelled molluscs and worms. Its breeding continues from April to August according to the living conditions of the region.

Picarel (Maena Smaris)

Horse Mackerel (Trachurus Trachurus)

It is native fish of our seas. It has a average size of 15cm, the females are smaller. It is lively and clever. In summer, it comes closer to the coasts. It can live between 10-12 years. Males are matured in 3, females are in 2 years old and they produce 60-7000 eggs. It is fed by fish eggs, alevin and algae.

It is found in our seas. It can reach to 15-25cm. and 30-40cm. maximum. The smaller ones are called as Kıraça. It is e mobile fish. It is fed by the fries of small fishes like Anchovy, sprat, silverside. It breeds between May-August in herds. It has a high economic value.

Greater Weever (Trachinus Draco)

Thomback Ray (Raja Clavata)

It is among the most poisonous fishes in our seas. It reaches to 17-18 and 35-40cm. of length maximum. It has an immobile fish. However, it is very fast during hunting in the sea bottom. Its poisons can leave a person on disabled. Even it is out of the sea or it is death, it remains poisonous. There is not special hunting for it. It is fed by small fish and crustaceans. In winter, it goes todeep-drawn.

It is from the family of sharks. There is a wide variety of Thom back ray in the entire world. It has a length exceeding 1m. and weight of 40-50kg. It hunts as buried in deep sands from 15-20m. to 100-150m. without long travels. It is fed by Crustaceans, small fishes. It breeds in the coasts in spring and summer. The females produce 10-30 eggs.

Whiting (Merlangius Merlangus)

By: Çiğdem Katılmaz

Kırklareli Merkez

Ticaret Meslek Lisesi

It is found as many in Marmara and Black Sea and rarely in our seas. It can reach to 20-40cm, it lives in the deep waters under 30-40m. It has a high economic value with its tasty flesh and it can be found in all seasons.

Here are some of the migratory or wintering guests of the Yıldız Mountains

Common Crane (Grus Grus)

Common Redshank

(Tringa Totanus)

White Tailed Eagle

(Haliaeetus Albicilla)

Purple Heron (Ardea Purpurea)

Black Stork (Ciconia Nigra)

Pygmy Cormorant (Phalacrocorax

pygmeus)

European Shag (Phalacrocorax

Aristotelis)

Long Eared Owl (Asio Otus)

European Hoopoe (Ugupa Epops)

Great White Pelican

(Pelecanus Onocratulus)

Common Buzzard (Buteo Buteo)

Little Egret (Egretta Garzetta)

White Stork (Ciconia Ciconia)

Rose Coloured Starling

(Sturnus Roseus)

Common House Martin

(Delichon Urbicum)

Lesser Spotted Eagle

(Aquila Pomarina)

Great White Egret (Egretta Alba)

European Roller (Corasias Garrulus)

Common Kingfisher

(Alcedo Atthis)

Grey Wagtail (Motacilla Cinerea)

Woodlark (Lullure Arbore)

Black Headed Gull

(Larus Ridibundus)

European Turtle Dove

(Streptopelia Turtur)

Black Cap (Sylvia Atricapilla)

Common Nightingale

(Luscinia Megarynchos)

European Nightjar

(Caprimulgus Europes)

Yelkouan (Puffinus Yelkouan)

Mallard (Anas Platyrynchos)

Mute Swan (Cygnus Olor)

Little Ringed Plover

(Charadrius Dubius)

By: Harika Yenigün Kırklareli Merkez Ticaret Meslek Lisesi

Great Crested Grebe

(Podiceps Cristatus)

Plants of the Yıldız Mountains

Sowbread Cyclamen

(Cyclamen Coum)

Common Snowdrop

(GalanthusValentine)

Plants of Forest, Mountain and Longos Eco-Systems

Native Primrose

(Primula Vulgaris)

Peacock Anenome

(Anemone Pavonina)


Lesser Celandine

(Ranunculus Ficaria)

Sweet Violet

(Viola Odorata)



Golden Marguerite

(Anthemis Tinctoria)

Daisy

(Bellis Perennis)


Common Chamomile

(Matricaria Chamomilla)

...

(Campanula Lingulata)


Crocus

(Crocus sp.)

Beardless Iris

(Iris Sintenisii)


Fritillary

(Fritillaria Pontica)

Grape Hyacinth

(Muscari Neglectum)


Pyramidal Orchid

(Anacamptis Pyramidalis)

Sword-leaved Helleborine

(Cephalanthera Longifolia)


Bee Orchid

(Ophrys Oestrifera)

Long Lipped Serapias

(Serapias Vomeracea)


Three-Toothed Orchid

(Orchis Tridentata)

Woodland Strawberry

(Fragaria Vesca)


Woolly Foxglove

(Digitalis Lanata)

Sweet William

(Dianthus Capitatus)

Plants of Coastal Dune Eco-System

Sea Daffodil

(Pancratium Maritimum)

...

(Aurinia Uechtritziana)


Sea Kale

(Crambe Maritima)

Sad Stock

(Matthiola Fruticulosa)


Forked Catchfly

(Silene Dichotoma)

Sea Bindweed

(Calystegia Soldanella)


Sea Spurge

(Euphorbia Paralias)

Sea Medick

(Medicago Marina)


...

(Juncus Heldreichianus)

Felty Germander

(Teucrium Polium)


Autumn Lady’s-Tresses

(Spiranthes Spiralis)

Yellow Hornpoppy

(Glaucium Flavum)


Violet Sea Lavender

(Limonium Virgatum)

Osyris

(Osyris Alba)


...

(Verbascum Degenii)

Plants of Wetlands and Lake Eco-Systems

Summer Snowflake

(Leucojum Aestivum)

Yellow Iris

(Iris Pseudacorus)


Pennyroyal

(Mentha Pulegium)

Common Duckweed

(Lemma Minor)


European White Waterlily

(Nymphaea Alba)

Lax-Flowered Orchid

(Orchis Laxiflora)


Water Chestnut

(Trapa Natans)

Common Reed

(Phragmites Australis)


Lesser Bulrush

(Typha Angustifolia)

Flowering Rush

(Butomus Ummellatus)


Water Smartweed

(Polygonum Amphibium)

Sea Club-Rush

(Bolboschoenus Maritimus)


Sawtooth Sedge

(Cladium Mariscus)

Slender Bulrush

(Schoenoplectus Lacustris)


Shining Spurge

(Euphorbia Lucida)

By: Gülsema Işık

Kırklareli Merkez Ticaret

Meslek Lisesi

Turkey

TREES OF THE YıLDıZ MOUNTAINS

Alder Tree (Alnus Glutinosa)

It is a tree with the length of 20-30m

and it has a smooth trunk.

It enriches the soil with nitrogen

because of the tubers in its roots,

which connects the free nitrogen of

the air.

Its light wood with a colour close to

red in contact with the air is used

especially in plywood production.

Also, it is used in carving, pencil and

coatings.

It exits in damp areas, stream and

lake edges and Longoz in Yıldız

Mountains.

Beech Tree (Fagus Orientalis)

It has a thin, bright, smooth tree trunk with

gray bark and it can crown up to 2m.

Its most prominent feature is that its

extremely smooth, clean bark remains on

the trunk for many years.

It builds pure or large mixed forests of fir,

spruce, pine and oak. The red colour of

autumn leaves is very impressive.

Its fat fruit is an important food source for

the wild animals. Its wood is used in the

production of furniture, plywood, hardwood

and is also used as firewood. It is

particularly widespread in Yıldız

Mountains, particularly in the highlands.

Silver Lime (Tilia Argentea)

It is a densely branched and broad-

crowned deciduous tree which can reach

to 40m. It is called as ‘’Silver linden’’

because the plant is covered with silvery

white hairs.

It is a decorative, ornamental plant for

gardens and parks. At the same time, it

is a plant of economic value as its

flowers are used for beverages. Flowers

bloom in late June- July. It is used as a

hot beverage after drying. Also it

increases urine and has medical effects

of diaphoretic, sedative, soporific, and

chest refreshing,

It is found in the valleys and forest areas

around the Longoz forests of Yıldız

Mountains.

Common Walnut (Juglans Regia)

It is a large round-crowned, thick

branched tree which can be reached to

the length of 25-30m and diameter of 1,5-

2,5m. Its trunk bark is silver-gray in colour

and it is flat and smooth in young trunks,

but it has deep cracks in old and thick

trunks.

Plants can not be grow under the tree

because it releases toxic substances from

the roots. ‘’Juglan’’ obtained from the

leaves is a volatile oil and it is used as

blood cleansing and restorative in

pharmacy. Seeds and oils obtained from

seeds is a valuable nutrient. Fruit peels

and leaves is used to provide brown paint.

Its wood is used to in the manufacture of

furniture and gun carriage. It is found in

stream beds and natural or cultivated

trees in Yıldız Mountains.

Ash Tree (Fraxinus sp.)

They are round-crowned trees with

plump and smooth trunks and their

length differ between 10-30m according

to the type. They are usually found in

marshy places with deep soils. They are

naturally grown as four species in our

country. Pointed fruit ash, Anatolian ash

(Fagus angustifolia) shows a wide

distribution, especially in Longoz.

Flowering ash (Fraxinus ornus) is found

in the forest areas except the Longoz.

Its wood is used in the production of

furniture trailers, cars, sporting goods,

plywood, veneer and floating barrels.

Hornbeam (Carpinus Betulus)

It is an important large-crowned

forest tree which can be reached to

25m and it approximately has 150

years of life.

In addition to its common use as

firewood, it is also used as machine

parts, shoe mould, sporting goods,

tool handles, agricultural tools,

shuttle construction and lathe works.

It is widespread in the Yıldız

Mountains.

Oak (Quercus sp.)

It is found in almost each region of our

country depending on the type. It has various

types composed of large-crowned trees which

can reach to the length of 25m and 2m in

diameter and shrubs which reach to the

length of3-5m. There are 18 species of oak in

our country.

The most common types in Yıldız Mountains

are; Turkish oak, hairy oak(Quercus serris),

Hungarian oak(Quercus frainetto), gall

oak(Quercus infectoria), sessile oak(Quercus

petraea), Handle oak(Quercus robur)

Its wood is used in the production of

furniture, carving, joinery and plywood as

massive and covering.

In addition, it is widely used in scaffold,

ceiling and floor coatings as building

materials, agricultural equipment and

flooring.

Hazelnut (Corylus Avellana)

It is a bush with brownish-gray, smooth

bark with extended common hilly and it

can reach to 6-7m. The growth is slower

but it has the ability to shoot.

Its wood is valuable as wicker chairs,

basket making, and barrel hoop. Black

coal is used in making gunpowder. It is a

plant where cultivation is possible for its

fruits,

It is widely available in Longoz forests,

river beds and edges.

Black Pine (Pinus nigra)

It is a Gymnosperm. It has a cylinder,

smooth trunk which can have the

length of 30-40m and more than 1m

of diameter. In the old trunks, it has

deep fissures in the crust, dark gray-

black colour holding and its

processing is easy. In Yıldız

Mountains, Coast Pine(Pinus

maritime), Red Pine(Pinus brutia),

Stone Pine(Pinus pinea) are created

with the aim of experiment in the

northern parts of İğneada.

Yew Tree (Taxus Baccata)

They are summer and winter green

shrubs or densely branched, long lasting

trees which can reach to the length of

20m and diameter of 1m.

It is possible that there are yews with

red coloured fruits as ornamental plants

in gardens and parks, which live during

three thousand years. In the leaves and

young shoots , there is a poisonous

alkaloid called ‘’taxol-taxin’’. Its flexible

wood, was used in making springs in

ancient times.

There is a small yew community

composed of 50 individuals among

beech forest in the northern part of

Mahya Mountains in Yıldız Mountains.

Woodpeckers of the Yıldlz Mountains

By: Berke Tosun .......................Kırklareli Merkez Ticaret Meslek Lisesi

Among the great diversity in the region, the woodpeckers are the ultimate specialty of the Yıldız Mountains. All of the nine woodpecker species found in Turkey are commonly found in great abundance over the Yıldız Mountains (Syrian woodpecker is an exception as it do not breed in the region but observed in autumn and winter probably due to post breeding dispersal from the surrounding habitats). How is woodpecker defined?

Woodpeckers have a very distinctive flying style among other birds. They fly up-and-down, in a zigzag pattern, instead of flat flying. This is the simplest way to identify them from far. Some woodpecker genres in the Yıldız Mountain Biosphere are seen here:

Little Grey-Headed Woodpecker (Picus Canus)

It is much smaller than grey-headed woodpecker, its beak is thinner. Its head and underneath is grey. The forehead of the male is crimson; moustache line is black and thin. Its voice is hardly heard except breeding period. It usually eats on the ground. They live in humid forests and trees by the river.

Great Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus Major)

It is the most common woodpecker in Europe and Turkey. Underneath the tail is blood-red. The whiteness on its wing is thinner and longer, looks like a wide stripe. Its voice is poignant and shrill. In Turkey, it is found in humid forests, parks, gardens and similar grove lands.

Middle Spotted Woodpecker (Dendrocopus Medius)

The white wing spot is bigger than the other spotted genres. Its head is red. Its black moustache line does not reach the beak and does not join the nape of the neck. Underneath is bright yellow, its flank is thick stripped. It is always on the move. It lives in forests.

Black Woodpecker (Dryocopus Martius)

Its size is as the crows, it is the biggest woodpecker, it is easily recognized since it is black. The head of the male and the nape of the female are red. It lives in old, pine and mixed forests.

White-Backed Woodpecker (Dendrocopus Leucotus)

Opposite to other woodpeckers are same size with it, there is no white spot on its wings. Its pinions and feather have horizontal white stripes. The head of the male is red. It lives in old forests.

ECOSYSTEMS The Yıldız Mountains Biosphere area is a mosaic of interconnected ecosystems, and hosting hundreds of plant and animal species, many of which are rare and endemic. It’s situated on a very unique location where the flora and fauna of Central Europe and Black Sea meet.

The major habitats are:

-Deciduous Forests

-Floodplain Forests (Longoz Forests)

-Lagoons and Lakes

-Coastal Sand Dunes

-Marine

Deciduous Forests Deciduous Forests are predominantly comprised of Beech and Oak, while other broadleaved trees such as Hornbeam, Ash and Maple accompany them. The Beech forests usually appear on higher elevations of northern slopes, which are relatively humid. The relatively drier southern slopes are typically covered by oak forests. These forests provide clean air and water for people while they host a rich wildlife. Natural coniferous forests rarely occur in the region, with small exceptions of Black Pine communities and Common Yew trees at higher elevations around Mahya Mountain.

Floodplain Forests (Longoz Forests) Longoz is essentially a swamp forest featuring temporary or permanent inundation of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water. The water may be fresh or brackish. T he Longoz forests appear like tropical forests, growing on soils with high organic content and high water table. This type of ecosystem is rarely found in Turkey. İgneada’s Longoz forests are among them. The best examples of longoz forests are found the Mert Lake, Erikli Lake and the Saka Lake. The floristic composition comprises rather tall deciduous trees dominated by Ash. The other trees include Beech, Oak, Hornbeam, Maple, Alder, etc. The presence of these forests is highly dependent on the existence of water.

Lagoons and Lakes There are five lakes, namely Erikli Lake (43 ha), Mert Lake (266 ha), Saka Lake (5 ha), Hamam Lake (19 ha) and Pedina Lake (10 ha). The first three lakes have moderately salty (brackish) water as they are connected to the sea, while the others are fresh because they are isolated. The edges of lakes are covered by tall reed communities. The marshy vegetation around the fresh water lakes are important as they host Euro-Siberian freshwater flora rarely found in Turkey. Many plant species of this vegetation cover are also regarded as indicators of high water quality.

Coastal Sand Dunes A coastal sand dune is a hill of sand built by Aeolian process along the coast. The dunes are important in protecting the land against potential ravages by storm waves from the sea. Coastal sand dunes are dynamic but fragile buffer zones of sand and vegetation that form where, large quantities of sand, persistent wind capable of moving the sand and suitable locations for sand to accumulate are present. Coastal dunes are among the most sensitive

ecosystems in the coast of İğneada, since they provide habitat for many rare and endemic plant species such as Centaurea kilaea, Crepis macropus, Silene sangaria and Sand Lily (Pancratium maritimum).

Marine The Black Sea is an inland sea bounded by Eurasia and Anatolia and is ultimately connected to the Mediterranean via the straits of Bosphorus and Dardanelles. A diverse marine fauna occurs in the Black Sea, despite of its low salinity and anoxic waters below 200m depth, containing high levels of sulphur. 3800 fauna and flora species identified including fungi, algae and higher plants, invertebrates, fishes and marine mammals. Large stocks of fish with high commercial value such as Anchovy, Red Mullet, Bluefish, Atlantic Bonito, Sturgeon and Turbot are present in the Black Sea.

KAVAL The kaval is a chromatic end-blown flute traditionally played

throughout Azerbaijan, Turkey, Hungary, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Albania, southern Serbia (кавал), northern Greece (καβάλι or τζαμάρα), Romania (caval), and Armenia (Բլուլ or blul). The kaval is

primarily associated with mountain shepherds throughout the Balkans and Anatolia. Unlike the transverse flute, the kaval is fully open at both ends, and is played by blowing on the

sharpened edge of one end. The kaval has 8 playing holes (7 in front and 1 in the back for the thumb) and usually four more unfingered intonation holes near the bottom of the kaval. As a wooden rim-

blown flute, kaval is similar to the ney of the Arab world. The name kaval may once have been referred to various Balkan duct and rim-blown flutes, accounting for the present day diversity of the

term’s usage.

By: Busenur İnan

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ney�

TECHNIQUES • Unlike the transverse flute, the kaval is fully open at both ends, and is played by blowing on the

sharpened edge of one end. The kaval has 8 playing holes (7 in front and 1 in the back for the thumb) and usually 4 more near the bottom of the kaval. These holes are not used for playing the instrument, but determine the lowest tone's pitch and timbre and are supposed to improve tone and intonation. In Bulgaria they are known as "devil's holes", based on a folk tale in which the devil tries to out-play a shepherd in a musical duel. While the shepherd is sleeping, the devil drilled holes in the shepherd's kaval but instead of ruining the kaval, this only served to enhance the shepherd's kaval playing thus thwarting the devil. In Macedonia they are known as "glasnici" (гласници) meaning "giving voice to/of".

• When played, the kaval is held with both hands at an angle of approximately 45° from the body, with the four fingers of the one hand covering the lower holes; the upper three holes and the thumbhole are covered with the other hand. The mouth covers ~¾ of the end. Change of the breath air pressurealso changes the pitch.

HISTORY • The kaval is primarily associated with mountain shepherds throughout

the Balkans and Anatolia and in the book Kaval: Traditional Folk Melodies for Balkan & Anatolian Folk Flute, musician Pat MacSwyney suggest that the kaval spread with the Yoruks from the Taurus mountains of southern Anatolia into the southern Balkans of southeast Europe.

• While in the past it was almost entirely a shepherd's instrument, today it is widely used in folk songs and dances as part of ensembles or solo.

Turkey In Turkey the term ‘kaval’ is used generally to refer to all shepherd’s pipes and more particularly (though not invariably) to ductless flutes. The presence or absence of a duct is sometimes specified by the addition of a qualification: dilsiz kaval (‘kaval without a tongue’), dilli kaval (‘kaval with a tongue’). Other qualifications may be added to describe materials, size or constructional features: kamiş kavalı (‘reed kaval’), çam kavalı (‘pine kaval’), madenı kavalı (‘metal kaval’); cura kavalı (‘small kaval’), çoban kavalı (‘shepherd’s kaval’, i.e. long kaval); üç parçalı kavalı (‘kaval with three parts’). The Turkish kaval can be made of wood, cane, bone or metal (usually brass) and has five or more finger-holes, one thumb-hole and sometimes additional unfingered holes like the Bulgarian instrument.

Ayca Ural Flaherty, Merkez Ticaret Meslek Lisesi, TurkeyMonika Mądrawska, Zespół Szkół Zawodowych nr 1 w Kielcach, Poland

Jana Marcinčinová, Cirkevné gymnázium Štefana Mišíka, SlovakiaRaside Y.oglu, ÇORLU DOĞA İLKÖĞRETİM OKULU, Turkey

were awarded the Label for their project:

We – the inhabitants of mountain areas 16.10.2011

Tomasz SzymczakNational Support Service

PolandMarc Durando

Central Support Service

Mustafa Hakan BÜCÜKNational Support Service

Turkey

Documents

We, The Inhabitants of Mountain Areas - Turkey