The State and Problems of Meadow-Pastures in Türkiye in The 100th Anniversary of The Republic

Meadows and pastures are among the most important natural botanic resources in the world in terms of diversity and genetic richness. Although meadows and pastures are often first thought of as agricultural resources and foundational areas for livestock, this perspective is rather narrow. Besides being crucial for both cultural and wildlife animals, meadows and pastures also serve as special ecosystem services that prevent erosion, regulate soil temperature, conserve water resources, support beekeeping, and provide a rich genetic reservoir. There are various types of meadows-pastures represented by various species under different climatic conditions around the world. Due to the country’s unique geographical position, Türkiye’s meadowlands offer richness characterised by species from three major phytogeographic regions. In this study, which examines the issue of meadows-pastures from the perspective of Agricultural Geography as Türkiye marks its first century, the findings and necessary actions are presented. In this context, the limited literature on the subject has been reviewed, followed by archival studies that have compiled scattered and incomplete statistical data. Following this, over a four-year period, meadowpasture observations were conducted in various locations (Siirt, Bitlis, Diyarbakır, Tokat, Amasya, Manisa, Tekirdağ, Hatay) through, discussions with technical teams to address past, present, and future conditions. Ultimately, while significant successful studies have been conducted on Türkiye’s meadows-pastures with positive outcomes, it has become evident that the country’s meadows-pastures need to be rehabilitated through strict policies.