Fire and Climate-Resilient Islands: Bozcaada & Gökçeada

The Eastern Mediterranean Research Association works to advance biodiversity conservation through science-based research and applied ecological solutions in the Eastern Mediterranean.

With TCEF support, the Association implemented the project “Fire- and Climate-Resilient Islands: Bozcaada and Gökçeada,” examining how island ecosystems respond to climate change and wildfires and developing practical recommendations for climate-adaptive restoration.

We spoke with the Eastern Mediterranean Research Association about the project’s objectives, key findings, and their implications for the future of island conservation.

Could you briefly introduce your organisation, its mission, and main areas of work?

The Eastern Mediterranean Research Association was founded in 2016 by early-career scientists working in the natural sciences to conserve biodiversity, develop science-based solutions to ecological challenges, and promote lifestyles aligned with ecological principles. Despite its relatively recent establishment, the Association has implemented nationally and internationally funded projects, particularly across the Eastern Mediterranean Basin, focusing on nature conservation, forestry practices, post-fire ecological restoration, biodiversity research, and citizen science.

Key initiatives include the UN GEF Small Grants Programme–supported projects “A Multidimensional Ecological Restoration Approach After Fire” and “Let Accurate Information Spread Faster Than Fire,” the Rufford Foundation–funded “Tree Microhabitats: A Key Tool for Forest Conservation Planning,” and collaborative work within the “Strengthen Nature” civil society network in Türkiye.

Through these projects, we have generated robust scientific and applied knowledge on post-fire recovery, protected area management, climate change impacts on ecosystems, and nature-based solutions. Our core objective is to translate scientific knowledge into practical conservation planning and deliver it in collaboration with local institutions and stakeholders for the public good.

Why is the conservation of island ecosystems important? How do island ecosystems contribute to Türkiye’s climate adaptation and biodiversity goals?

Islands play a critical role in global biodiversity conservation due to their high levels of endemism. Their isolation makes them ecologically unique but also particularly vulnerable to climate change, drought, and wildfires. As a result, island conservation is a priority not only locally but also globally.

In Türkiye, large islands such as Bozcaada and Gökçeada host characteristic Mediterranean vegetation types—including red pine forests, maquis, and phrygana—making them natural laboratories for observing climate change impacts. Ecological changes on these islands provide early and visible signals of climate stress.

By analysing plant functional traits and vegetation dynamics on both islands, this project contributes science-based, practical recommendations that support Türkiye’s climate adaptation and biodiversity targets and offer a replicable model for similar ecosystems.

You recently completed the project “Fire- and Climate-Resilient Islands: Bozcaada and Gökçeada.” What were its objectives, key activities, and main challenges?

The project aimed to assess the current and future resilience of Bozcaada and Gökçeada to fire and climate change, and to develop nature-based forestry and ecological restoration recommendations accordingly.

We first mapped the vegetation mosaic of both islands in detail using remote sensing, followed by extensive fieldwork. By analysing plant species composition, structural characteristics, and functional leaf traits, we evaluated both resistance (tolerance) and resilience (recovery capacity) of vegetation types to fire and climatic stress. These findings were combined with climate models to produce four future vegetation scenarios for the period 2021–2100.

Results were discussed with the General Directorate of Forestry (OGM), the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks (DKMP), and local civil society actors, culminating in a comprehensive report outlining fire-resilient restoration and climate-adaptive forestry approaches.

The main challenge was the highly heterogeneous and dynamic nature of island ecosystems, shaped by both natural and human pressures. Limited historical ecological data required intensive use of satellite imagery and field observations. These challenges were addressed through strong early coordination with public authorities and close collaboration with local technical staff and civil society, enabling a holistic approach that integrated scientific and local knowledge.

As one of the first comprehensive analyses of vegetation ecology and climate–fire interactions on Türkiye’s islands, what do the findings tell us about the future of these ecosystems?

Our findings indicate that both islands will be significantly affected by increasing drought, rising temperatures, and altered fire regimes. Some vegetation types—particularly in water-stressed areas—are likely to contract in the future. While certain dominant species show functional traits that allow adaptation to warmer and drier conditions, maintaining ecosystem resilience will require protecting their habitats and deliberately incorporating them into restoration efforts.

Encouragingly, species-rich maquis communities showed higher resilience than expected, while the increased risk of invasive species in some open areas signals the need for early intervention. One of the most striking findings was the presence of potential climate refugia—areas where water availability and microclimatic conditions buffer ecosystems against heat and drought stress. Protecting and strengthening these refugia is central to our resilience-based restoration approach.

Overall, the results highlight that the future of island ecosystems depends on science-based conservation planning that integrates climate–fire interactions and is reinforced by local knowledge. The project offers decision-makers a practical roadmap for action.

How would you describe the project’s impact to individuals or institutions considering supporting this work?

This project represents one of Türkiye’s first comprehensive ecological resilience assessments focused specifically on island ecosystems. Its impact can be summarised across three dimensions:

Scientific Impact

  • Detailed mapping of the vegetation mosaics of Bozcaada and Gökçeada for the first time.

  • Assessment of fire and climate resilience based on plant functional traits.

  • Development of future climate projections and vulnerability analyses for island ecosystems.

Practical Impact

  • Joint evaluations with the General Directorate of Forestry and the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks.

  • Development of nature-based, fire- and climate-resilient forestry and restoration recommendations.

  • Field-based solutions for integrating sensitive vegetation types into management plans.

Model and Long-Term Impact

  • A transferable conservation model applicable to other islands and coastal ecosystems in Türkiye.

  • A strong collaboration framework linking academia, public institutions, and local stakeholders, ensuring long-term influence.

Supporting this project, therefore, means supporting not only scientific research but also a scalable, applied conservation approach that directly contributes to Türkiye’s climate adaptation and biodiversity goals.