Predator-prey relationship as an ecosystem service: wolf- wild boar relationship in Antalya Bey Dagları

Abstract

Aim: To emphasise wolf-wild boar relationships as an ecosystem service
Methods: We used contemporary literature such as scientific papers, field and interview reports and our previous field observations in Antalya, Beydagları (Termessos National Park and Çığlıkara National Protected Area)
Results: In our previous studies, wild Boar density of Termessos NP was found higher than Çığlıkara NPA wild Boar density in Çığlıkara NPA was found to be 115 adults and 115 piglets per 100 km 2 , a higher density was found in Çığlıkara NPA. Termessos NP (213 adults and 101 piglets per 100 km 2). Wolf did not detect in Çığlıkara NPA. Furthermore more wild boar damage in the agricultural areas were reported in Termssos NP and its surroundings by villagers.
Conclusion: Ecosystem services can be defined as the conditions and processes through which ecosystems, and the biodiversity that makes them up, sustain and fulfill human life. High density of wild boar in Termessos NP and its surroundings seems to be associated with the wolf absence. Villagers mention that they suffer from the high density of the Wild Boar population which destroyed their agriculture lands due to absence of wolf population. The top predator, the wolf, can keep the balance of Wild Boar populations like Çığlıkara NPA. This can be considered as an ecosystem service.

Full text

ISEEP 2013
VII. International Symposium on Ecology and Environmental Problems
Antalya, TURKEY, December 18-21, 2013
ISEEP_174
157
Predator - prey relationship as an ecosystem service: wolf-
wild boar relationship in Antalya Bey Dagları
Elif Betül EVCİMEN*, Bekir KABASAKAL* Tamer ALBAYRAK** and Ali
ERDOĞAN*
* Akdeniz Univ, Science Faculty, Dept. of Biology, 07058, Campus, Antalya/TURKEY;
elifbetulevcimen@hotmail.com, bkabasakal@akdeniz.edu.tr, aerdogan@akdeniz.edu.tr
** Mehmet Akif Ersoy Univ, Arts and Science Faculty, Dept. of Biology Burdur/TURKEY;
albayraktamer@gmail.com
Aim: To emphasise wolf-wild boar relationships as an ecosystem service.
Methods: We used contemporary literature such as scientific papers, field and
interview reports and our previous field observations in Antalya, Beydagları
(Termessos National Park and Çığlıkara National Protected Area).
Results: In our previous studies, wild Boar density of Termessos NP was found higher
than Çığlıkara NPA wild Boar density in Çığlıkara NPA was found to be 115 adults and
115 piglets per 100 km2, a higher density was found in Çığlıkara NPA. Termessos NP
(213 adults and 101 piglets per 100 km2). Wolf did not detect in Çığlıkara NPA.
Furthermore more wild boar damage in the agricultural areas were reported in Termssos
NP and its surroundings by villagers.
Conclusion: Ecosystem services can be defined as the conditions and processes
through which ecosystems, and the biodiversity that makes them up, sustain and fulfill
human life. High density of wild boar in Termessos NP and its surroundings seems to
be associated with the wolf absence. Villagers mention that they suffer from the high
density of the Wild Boar population which destroyed their agriculture lands due to
absence of wolf population. The top predator, the wolf, can keep the balance of Wild
Boar populations like Çığlıkara NPA. This can be considered as an ecosystem service.
Key words: Ecosystem services, predator-prey relationship, wolf-wild boar
relationship, Beydagları, Antalya