Final Report October 2011 for the BBI-Matra/2008/015 ... - Vlindernet

Activity outputs and additional benefits
6.7. Develop a project on a priority PBA and one of its globally threatened
species
A project proposal focused on the Kaçkar Mountains PBAs and the dusky large blue
(Phengaris nausithous) was developed, aiming to promote High Nature Value (HNV)
Farming as a solution for the species’ conservation. Unfortunately, the project was
unsuccessful in attracting funding.
Details on the work:
In March 2010, a project proposal was developed and submitted to the EU Civil Society
Dialogue grant scheme of the IPARD programme. The project focused on solving the
problem of migration and abandonment in the Kaçkar mountains (a PBA) through promoting
HNV Farming as a strand of sustainable development. This was essentially a rural
development project (because that was where the funding opportunity lay) from which
butterflies and other biodiversity would benefit; the specific species targeted was dusky
large blue (Phengaris nausithous). The dusky large blue is categorised as Endangered in
Turkey and Near Threatened on IUCN’s global list.
Problems encountered
The project was unsuccessful in attracting funding.
The application – ‘Addressing rural development priorities through local dialogue’ – was made by DKM (with input
from butterfly watchers Ümit Durdu and Didem Ambarlı) together with the European Forum for Nature
Conservation and Pastoralism, BCE and two local NGO partners.
See in 06.7 annex a copy of the project concept note
Ideas for further projects continue to be discussed and butterfly watchers have been encouraged to study
threatened species (see 6.6 above) in the expectation that this will lead to more meaningful and well developed
project ideas. Currently the best opportunities are in funding for research through TÜBITAK (the Scientific and
Technological Research Council of Turkey) and a proposal for work on grassland butterflies is planned. In the longterm
a project with the Ministry of Agriculture is the aim, in order to develop DKM’s relationship with the Ministry
and find ways to work together for landscape conservation. The work already done within the BBI-Matra project,
particularly that on species such as steppe fritillary and Mesopotamian blue, will provide a sound basis from which
to develop a project which has the best chance of delivering effective conservation.
7. Capacity building on a selected PBA for effective implementation of
active butterfly conservation
7.1 Identify the PBAs for implementing conservation action
Three PBAs were selected for implementing conservation action, based on a combination of
geographical location and the potential for synergies with other project.
Details on the work:
Whilst each of the 65 PBAs makes a unique contribution to the conservation of Turkey’s
butterfly fauna, three sites were selected for immediate implementation of conservation
activities (Middle East Technical University Campus [Ankara], South Kaçkars [Artvin],
Palandöken Mountains [Erzurum]), based on the following criteria:
Geographical location – sites close to Ankara or in areas where DKM is already working
(logistically feasible and existing relationships with local stakeholders).
Synergies with other projects – more effective outcomes and use of resources.
Problems encountered
The project proposal had identified the desirability of using conservation action on the PBAs
as an opportunity to develop close working relationships with the Directorate of Forestry
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