Page 190 - Çevre Şehir ve İklim Dergisi İngilizce - Özel Sayı

Use of Climate-Resilient Plants in Arid and Semi-Arid Lands

According to the Mediterranean climate classification used by the General
Directorate of Meteorology (MGM) (Figure 1), the parameters involved
in determining Türkiye’s climate are average temperature, precipitation,
average relative humidity, and average sunshine duration. According to
data from the long-term period (1991-2020), monthly calculations reveal that
a drought disaster occurred, especially during the vegetation period (April-
October). In the annual climate classification, which ranges from very humid
to desert climate, the regions of Türkiye under the threat of drought have
been identified as Central Anatolia, Southeastern Anatolia, the inland parts of
the Mediterranean and Aegean regions, certain areas where Eastern Anatolia
connects to Central Anatolia, and the Iğdır region (MGM, 2024).

Figure 1: According to the Aydeniz Climate Classification,
Türkiye’s Climate (MGM, 2024)
ÇEMGM identifies problematic areas and their sensitivities (desertification
and wind erosion sensitivity) in arid and semi-arid regions of the country
and, in collaboration with stakeholders, conducts adaptation, identification,
and implementation studies of climate-resilient plants that can be used in
combating adverse conditions (drought, wind erosion, barrenness, and
desertification) in these areas.
In this study, the issue of drought related to global warming and climate
change is addressed at the beginning. The studies that should be considered
in combating these problems are discussed by emphasizing the issues in arid
and semi-arid areas along with drought. In this context, the study is presented in
three sections: 1) In areas under the threat of drought (pastures, non-forest areas),
human-induced degradation, desertification, wind erosion, and barrenness
problems are discussed, along with the spatial distribution and classification of
these issues. 2) As a nature-based solution to the problems in these areas (arid
and semi-arid), the importance of climate-resilient planting was emphasized.

177
Special Issue / 2024