Datça ? Bozburun Peninsula is one of the Key Biodiversity Areas of Turkey, which represents one of the most pristine Mediterranean lowland forests and coastal areas. Despite its natural values, the peninsula has great importance in terms of its archeological and cultural values. Due to its rich biodiversity and high landscape values, Datça-Bozburun peninsula -covering 1,441.39km2 marine area-has been declared as Special Environment Protection Area with the Cabinet Decree entered into force on 22.10.1990. The area consists of two sub-districts and 17 villages under Datça and Marmaris districts in Mu?la province. According to 2011 address-based population registration system, total population of Datça is 17,004 with 10,888 urban population and 6,116.rural population.

Datça-Bozburun Peninsula trigger Key Biodiversity Area criteria for 7 different taxon groups including plants, birds, mammals, amphibians, reptiles, butterflies and dragonflies. Peninsula hosts globally endangered marine animals such as the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus) and the loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta). The terrestrial regions are also rich with endangered northern luschman?s salamander (Lyciasalamandra flavimembris) and large mammals such as Caracal (Caracal caracal) and mountain goat (Capra aegagrus). There is also a small group of brown bear (Ursus arctos) in the east part of Datça.

The area represents one of the most pristine Mediterranean lowland forest communities in the Agean region. These communities consist of evergreen shrub-lands, red pine (Pinus brutia), liquid amber (Liquidambar orientalis), cypress (Cupressus sempervirens), Datça phoenix (Phoenix theoprasti) forests and the coastal plants. The largest Datça phoenix group ever recorded is found on the Datça peninsula.

The area is one of the most pristine natural assets of Turkey, where human-nature interaction is relatively well conserved. This region is known to have the cleanest and healthiest marine ecosystem is located in Mu?la province in the south-western coastline of Turkey. Despite of underdeveloped roads, long distances to travel and a modest service industry, the landscape remains one of the most preferred vacation destinations in the country..

According to the problem analysis made for COMDEKS Country Strategy, the most imminent threats on the Mediterranean coast seem to appear upon Datça-Bozburun. The local traditional livelihood suffers from strong pressures from vast tourism and residential development despite of the desire and potential for environment/nature-friendly development on the local residents? part side. Seasonal population fluctuation is high (the population increases about five fold in the summer) due to secondary settlements and tourism putting additional pressure on the scare water resources and infrastructure, which in turn increase pollution and cause destruction of sensitive habitats.

The project is in line with the outcome 4 and priority of COMDEKS on Institutions. The main target of the project is identified as creating and/or strengthening the institutional governance mechanisms to make decisions on land use and sustainable economic development in Datça- Bozburun Peninsula through more inclusive and participatory decision making process at the landscape level. The project will help to reach this target through a documentary film which will gather knowledge and experience of NGOs working in the region, to make knowledge more accessible today and in the future.