IMPACT OF LARGE SCALE DAM CONSTRUCTION ON MOVEMENT CORRIDORS OF MAMMALS IN ARTVIN, NORTH-EASTERN TURKEY

The long term viability of many animals depends on maintaining connection between their subpopulations. However, man-made infrastructures can severely damage the connection of subpopulations through fragmenting prime habitats. Our goal in this study is to investigate impact of a series of dam constructions on the potential movement corridors of the wild goat (Capra aegragus), Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), and the golden jackal (Canis aureus) in northeastern Turkey. We used one of the most common approaches, least cost corridor modeling to determine movement corridors of target species for before and after dam constructions and compared the differences in physical structures, habitat suitability and total cost of movement in corridors. We found that constructions of dams would negatively affect subpopulations of target species and their movement corridors. Some subpopulations are expected to lose suitable habitat to flooding while others to be divided into distant, smaller units once the construction is completed. Moreover, resistance to movement will increase due to a decline in habitat suitability and an increase in total cost of movement. In brief, dams and their reservoirs in northeastern Turkey will likely become serious barriers and considerably constrain movements of target species within and between subpopulations