Mohamed bin Zayed Species project number 192520509

PRICELESS OR WORTHLESS: CONSERVING PSORODONOTUS EBNERI, ONE OF THE 100 AMAZING SPECIES

According to mythology, the Prophet Noah had built an ark to rescue living things from the Great Flood and the ark landed on top of a mountain in the Middle East when the flood ended. Ararat Mountain in the Caucasus and Cilo Mountain in the northern end of the Zagros Mountains are two mountains suggested as the place where “Noah’s Ark” landed. The Noah’s Ark mythology provides a great metaphor to define the present role of the mountain ranges for conservation of cold-preferring species endemic to some highlands in the Middle East and Caucasus. We suppose the BeydaÄŸları Mountain (Antalya, Turkey) as a Noah Ark for the critically endangered iconic species (One of the 100 Amazing Species) Psorodonotus ebneri (see photo and map). The financial support by “Mohammed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund” provides a great opportunity to put conservation plans in action for this iconic species. By the project has following aims. 

1- To determine the Psorodonotus ebneri’s occupancy area, exact habitat preference, population size and demographical status. By these data the threat category of Psorodonotus ebneri will be re-assessed.

2- The climate data for the local distribution area of the species will be obtained to estimate the life-cycle threshold for egg lying, embryonic development, hatching and molting period. These data will also give opportunity of determining adaptive potential of the species and possible trend for the population survival. 

3- Potential threats will be monitored and assessed. The water sources within and around the habitat, the precipitation regime and the usage of these water sources by humans will be determined to estimate survival of the habitat. Other potential threat such as grazing herds and their mowing regimes, and the grass cutting by human will be determined.

4- The conservation plan will be determined and put in action. The survival of the habitat requires preventing dispose of water, herd grazing and grass cutting. To support animal reproduction unbreakable cages will be placed to some certain areas to provide safe egg laying areas. 

5- Meetings which targeting the local authorities and people living around the habitat will be organized. The data obtained will be shared with participants. We will benefit from media (regular or social) to increase awareness. 

Project documents

• Brochure for project dissemination in Turkish
• Article on 'The News Letter of The Orthopterists’ Society Metaleptae'




Project 192520509 location - Turkey, Asia