Research Project: Türkiye Boz Ayı Popülasyonlarının Yer Şekilleri Genetiği ve Niş Modellemesi
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Contributors
Funders
ID
TB.00496
Authors
Naderi, Mortaza
Researcher
Publications
Brown bear denning habits in northeastern Türkiye
(Elsevier, 2024) Şekercioğlu, Çağan Hakkı; Naderi, Mortaza; Kusak, Josip; Çoban, Emrah; Cáceres, Federico Collazo; Blount, J. David; Çoban, Ayşegül; Kusak, Josip; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics; Yes; College of Sciences
Denning behavior is essential for species that must survive difficult seasonal conditions when food is scarce. In the first denning study conducted in Türkiye, we investigated the denning habits of brown bears in the evergreen Sarıkamış forest in the east of the country. Using the bear movement data of bears recorded by GPS between 2018 and 2023, we identified 43 winter dens and 12 day-beds (daily resting places) used by bears. This study revealed the existence of five winter dens with separate toilet chambers, a phenomenon not previously documented in the literature. These chambers were separated from the sleeping areas by rocks or in a tunnel cavity. Our results showed that most winter dens were located in rocky regions and cliffs (83 %), while 17 % were in foothills and non-rocky areas, excavated areas, or under tree roots. Males had occupied all the excavated dens, with one exception. Notably, the den entrances were narrower in the foothills. This discrepancy can be attributed to the relatively constant height of the caves, which does not differ significantly from natural caves in rocky and mountainous areas. The geographical orientation of the excavated winter dens, which mainly faced north, may also contribute to this difference. Our data on denning chronology highlighted significant differences in denning behavior between female and male bears, with females exhibiting longer denning durations. These findings contribute to our understanding of bear ecology and emphasize the importance of considering sex-specific behaviors in wildlife management and conservation efforts. Our findings highlight the potential threats that current and future human infrastructure development pose to the long-term viability of bears in an understudied region at the confluence of two global biodiversity hotspots. © 2024 The Authors
Climate-driven range shifts and conservation challenges for brown bears in Türkiye
(Wiley, 2025) Sıkdokur, Ercan; Sağlam, İsmail Kudret; Şekercioğlu, Çağan Hakkı; Sıkdokur, Ercan; Kandemir, Irfan; Sayar, Ali Onur; Naderi, Morteza; GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics; Yes; GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING; College of Sciences
Understanding the current and future distribution of wildlife species is crucial for effective conservation planning, particularly in the face of climate change and increasing anthropogenic pressures. This study aims to assess the potential distribution of brown bears across Türkiye both presently, by 2050 and 2070, considering various climate change scenarios, evaluating habitat vulnerability, and reassessing the effectiveness of protected areas. Using an ensemble forecasting approach, we modeled brown bears' current and future habitat suitability, incorporating 608 occurrence records along with bioclimatic, topographic, and anthropogenic predictors under climate scenarios. Our model estimates that approximately 17.3% of Türkiye (135,556 km2) currently offers suitable habitat for brown bears with the highest suitability found in the Euro-Siberian (46%), Irano-Turanian (43%), and Mediterranean (11%) biogeographic regions. The results indicate that climate change combined with anthropogenic pressures, is expected to reduce brown bear habitat suitability by 40%–48% by 2050, and 40%–67% by 2070 under various scenarios. A significant contraction in the brown bears' range, along with a northward shift in suitable habitats, is projected, reflecting the broader impacts of climate. Additionally, the suitability of brown bear habitats is estimated to be strongly influenced by the changes in altitude. The proportion of suitable habitats under protection is projected to decline from 21.4% to 15%–16.1% by 2050 and further to 11.3%–15.9% by 2070, depending on the scenario. These findings highlight the need for targeted conservation strategies to address the emerging conservation gap for brown bears in the Mediterranean, Irano-Turanian, and Euro-Siberian regions. Enhancing connectivity between fragmented habitats and reassessing the status of protected areas are critical actions to safeguard the brown bear population in Türkiye. This study underscores the pressing conservation challenges and strategic opportunities for securing the future of brown bears in Türkiye.
Human-brown bear conflicts in Türkiye are driven by increased human presence around protected areas
(ELSEVIER, 2024) Aytekin, M. Çisel Kemahlı; Çeltik, Elif; Sağlam, İsmail Kudret; Şekercioğlu, Çağan Hakkı; Sıkdokur, Ercan; Kusak, Josip; Department of Molecular Biology and Genetics; Graduate School of Sciences and Engineering; Yes; College of Sciences; GRADUATE SCHOOL OF SCIENCES AND ENGINEERING
Human-wildlife conflict has become a major challenge to conservation efforts around the world. Brown bears (Ursus arctos), which globally suffer from reduced habitat suitability and quality, frequently conflict with humans. These animals need large home ranges to fulfil their habitat requirements. When space and food are restricted, brown bears frequently shift towards human-dominated landscapes that offer reliable food sources. T & uuml;rkiye, a country with predominantly human-dominated landscapes, experiences frequent human-brown bear conflicts (HBCs). However, there has been no formal analysis of the nature and scope of these conflicts at the country level. Using HBC data from 2017 to 2022, we analyzed the spatial and temporal dynamics of HBC events in T & uuml;rkiye , constructing a risk map based on anthropogenic variables and geographic profiling to identify the driving forces. HBC events did not show any annual or seasonal trends but displayed considerable variation across biogeographic regions, with the highest incidence concentrated along the Black Sea coast and in Eastern Anatolia. Sixty percent of all conflicts were due to bear foraging behavior in or near human settlements while 12 % were the result of human activity in forests, with 57% of all conflict events resulting in direct injury to either humans or bears. Our analyses showed proximity to villages, protected areas, farmland, and the human footprint to be pivotal factors influencing conflict risk. Approximately 21% of the country's territory is susceptible to human-bear conflicts, with a substantial portion (43%) of these risks manifesting within a 10-km radius around protected areas. In conclusion, our findings suggest that the high occurrence of HBCs in T & uuml;rkiye primarily stems from the limited availability of natural habitats and resources for brown bears, compounded by increased human encroachment in and around core bear habitats.
