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Conclusion and Evaluation

We gradually feel the adverse effects of climate change in global level each
day. All sectors will be affected by this situation, but agriculture in Türkiye,
as in the whole world, is among the sectors that will be most affected by
the changing climate (Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, 2021). When we
fail to integrate climate and nature-friendly agricultural approaches such as
ecosystem-based adaptation with our national policies, climate change can
significantly threaten our food security and make the rural areas uninhabitable.
It can be stated that the agricultural ecosystems of Türkiye are also negatively
affected by climate change. It is inevitable that this situation will have serious
ecological, social and economic consequences for Türkiye. Despite this,
research and studies on the effects of climate change on Türkiye’s ecosystems
are not at an adequate level. In particular, it is important to monitor the effects
of climate change on biodiversity and ecosystems and to establish early
warning systems.
In the context of ecosystems in Türkiye, the vast majority of agricultural
production takes place in Anatolian steppe ecosystems, which include land
utilisation such as natural steppes, meadows, agricultural areas, pastures,
forests and wetlands. Steppe ecosystems are widely observed in the Eastern,
Southeastern and Central Anatolian Regions, and in high mountain systems
in the Aegean and Mediterranean Regions. Anatolian Steppe Ecosystems are
facing the risk of habitat loss and degradation, overuse of cultivation areas
and climate change.
Türkiye is quite rich in terms of biodiversity, and a significant part of the
species included in this diversity are endemic. A large part of the animal
diversity and endemic species exist in the steppe ecosystems of Eastern and
Central Anatolia. The steppe ecosystems in Türkiye have reached to their
present state mainly as a result of anthropogenic effects that have been going
on for hundreds of years. “The steppe ecosystem is still under severe threat
today due to human activities such as agricultural production, land conversion,
improper afforestation, deforestation and urban development” (Ministry of
Agriculture and Forestry, 2022). In ecosystem management, there is a need for
integrated approaches with environmental, economic and social perspectives
to reduce both human uses and the effects of climate change.
“Ecosystem-Based Adaptation (EBA)” activities, as an integrated approach,
should be considered as an important opportunity to be included in the
policy, program, activity and planning processes, especially in sectors related
to steppe areas, in order to assess the effects of climate change on the
agricultural sector and provide measures for adaptation to climate change.

160 Journal of Environment, Urbanization and Climate