Camili Biosphere Reserve, Biosphere reserve in Artvin, Turkey.
The Camili Biosphere Reserve covers a mountainous landscape with changing elevations that support different types of forests and vegetation. The area receives heavy rainfall throughout the year and experiences harsh winter weather patterns.
The Turkish Ministry of Forestry protected this area in 1998, and it gained UNESCO recognition as the country's first biosphere reserve in 2005. This designation marked a major milestone for nature conservation in Turkey.
The scattered mountain villages show signs of traditional livelihoods like hazelnut farming and beekeeping with local bee varieties. These practices shape the daily life and seasonal rhythms of the communities living within the reserve.
Access to the reserve follows mountain trails that vary by season, so visitors should prepare for changing weather conditions. The warmer months are better for exploration when roads are more passable and weather is milder.
The reserve contains a remarkable diversity of plant species, including varieties found nowhere else on Earth. This botanical richness makes it a vital stopover point for migrating birds of prey that cross the forested landscape seasonally.
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