Day after day, the relationship between human and nature is gaining importance. Turkey has started to make the awareness on this field more important. Either biodiversity inventories, ecological atlases, studies on ?the harmony between human and nature,? and rich databases abroad; or newly published landscape atlases, state-sanctioned online databases, and academic research at home can be cornerstones. ?Ecological Atlas of Kura Basin? will play an important role about the responsibilities on ?European Landscape Convention,? moreover, it will act as a guide within the scope of other conventions, plans and declarations (Natura 2000, EU Directive, Basin Action Plans, etc.) which are emphasized by the directories of EU and UN.

Kura Basin (188.000 m²) has crucial biodiversity area and settlements, where have rich potentials in terms of socio-ecological values. In this context, ?Ecological Atlas of Kura Basin? will be a publication, which uncovers not only the biodiversity in the basin, but also potential natural capitals, agricultural structure, and the sources, which are earned by local people from the nature.

Project publication will consist of three main stages. These stages can be detailed as (1) the evaluation of natural, sociological, and cultural structure of Kula Basin and creating database within this evaluation; (2) Identifying the abiotic, biotic and cultural characters of Kula Basin; and (3) functional analyses, quality indicators and spatial aims within the harmony of ecosystem services.

The project will take about two years as proposed. Within the project, working / participation meetings and training sessions will be organized in Ardahan, I?d?r, Kars and Erzurum. These events will be organized with the participation of state institutions and organizations, local development agencies, NGOs, municipalities and local people. Briefly, this atlas will lead all official bodies, NGOs, universities and other institutions at national or international level.