Within the scope of work package 1 technical consulting services, assistance and training concerning the implementation of the Birds Directive and the Habitats Directive will be given in various respect: The technical working group will be advised according to the specific needs and kept informed about the ongoing process of the project. Furthermore a first version of a website on nature protection will be created, which has to be continually updated. A workshop will be held in order to identify the current status and future needs of nature protection management in Turkey. Assistance will be given to drafting nature conservation legislation and guidelines for the implementation of the Natura 2000 network. Finally staff will be trained in managing Natura 2000 sites. Based on the workshop and other related activities the assessment of managing nature protection will be summarized in an expert report.

Work package 2 is designed to implement the Corine Land Cover classification in Turkey. This includes general assistance in data processing and information management as well as specific training in handling of the software and data interpretation. Furthermore field verification and ground survey will be carried out.

Work package 3 aims at the compilation of a harmonized national database of species and habitats. This includes the compilation of a national reference list of species and the compilation of a harmonized database of habitats according to EUNIS. The national reference list of species will be based on existing references and updated and completed during the project. For drafting a national list of habitat types, the relevant EUNIS types for Turkey have to be selected and evaluated and adapted to Turkish conditions as far as necessary. Finally a model of a national database of species and habitats will be created.

Work packages 4, 5 and 6 consist of assessment and scientific reviews of existing information about relevant habitats according Annex I of the Habitats Directive, relevant bird species according to the Birds Directive and relevant species according Annexes II, IV and V of the Habitats Directive and the CITES regulation respectively. The three work packages will identify the relevant species, bird species and habitats, investigate the relevant sources and give technical assistance for the integration of the results in the national database.

Within work package 7 a pilot study will be carried out in two protected areas to apply the EUNIS Habitat classification to existing protected areas in Turkey. This includes the digitalization of the relevant basic information of the protected areas, the development of data sheets for the field work, mapping of two protected areas and the required training of experts and the digitalization of the results of the field work.

Work package 8 will result in a detailed review of habitats in turkey to propose habitat types that should be added to the habitats directive. This includes a check list of habitat types potentially relevant for Natura 2000 sites and the formulation of a draft check list of habitat types for the amendment of Annex I. The collection of information for detailed characteristics according too the Interpretation Manual of the European Commission will be initiated.

Work packages 9 and 10 will cover a detailed review of bird species in Turkey that should be added to the Birds Directive and of species that should be added to the Habitats Directive respectively. This includes the investigation of the available and relevant sources, a proposal of checklists of species and bird species with potential relevance for Natura 2000 sites, the formulation of draft checklists for the respective Directives and the initiation or continuation of information for detailed characteristics of these species.

Work package 11 includes a review of all existing protected areas too propose a list of potential SPAs and SACs. Therefore training measures will be carried out tailored for experts from different authorities. Furthermore the national parks and the national SPAs will be evaluated in this work package. In particular all species and bird species which were observed in the respective sites will be identified and catalogued. Draft maps including the boundaries of the potential Natura 2000 sites will be produced.

Within work package 12 a detailed study to identify other possible candidate areas to propose a list of potential SPAs will be carried out. This includes the evaluation of the IBA list of Turkey, the evaluation of the results relevant in this context obtained from other parts of the project and the evaluation from the first list proposing potential areas according to the Birds Directive.

Within work package 13 a study will be carried out to identify other possible candidate areas to propose a list of potential SACs. Therefore a workshop with national experts will be carried out. The findings of the workshop including a preliminary draft list of potential SPAs, will be summarized in a report. Furthermore the results obtained from other WPs of the project will be evaluated.