Hotspots - Irano-Anatolian (64) More files...
The Irano-Anatolian hotspot extends from Turkey through Iran to Turkmenistan and is a topologically varied region of mountains and enclosed basins. It boasts 2500 species of endemic plants, a dozen endemic reptiles and several endemic subspecies of wild ass. The main threats to the region's biodiversity come from overgrazing and development of irrigation systems. Political instabilty makes both fact-finding and conservation difficult.
Two Great gerbils (Rhombomis opimus) standing on hind legs, Badkhyz Reserve, Turkmenistan
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Gertrud & Helmut Denzau / Two Great gerbils (Rhombomis opimus) standing on hind legs, Badkhyz Reserve, Turkmenistan
Russian tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) in a burrow, Badkhyz Reserve, Turkmenistan.
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Gertrud & Helmut Denzau / Russian tortoise (Testudo horsfieldii) in a burrow, Badkhyz Reserve, Turkmenistan.
Long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) at night, Touran Protected Area, Iran
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Gertrud & Helmut Denzau / Long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) at night, Touran Protected Area, Iran
Fairy chimneys / Hoodoo rock formations in Goreme valley, near Goreme, Capadokkia, Turkey, July 2006
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Wild Wonders of Europe / Radisic / Fairy chimneys / Hoodoo rock formations in Goreme valley, near Goreme, Capadokkia, Turkey, July 2006
The Rock Castle of Uchisar, Cappadocia, Anatolia, Turkey, 2008
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Gavin Hellier / The Rock Castle of Uchisar, Cappadocia, Anatolia, Turkey, 2008
Aerial photograph of the Tufa rock formations and landscape near Goreme, Cappadocia, Anatolia, Turkey, 2008
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Gavin Hellier / Aerial photograph of the Tufa rock formations and landscape near Goreme, Cappadocia, Anatolia, Turkey, 2008
Orsinii's viper (Vipera ursinii) on rock with flowers, Albarz Mountains, Iran, vulnerable species
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Nigel Marven / Orsinii's viper (Vipera ursinii) on rock with flowers, Albarz Mountains, Iran, vulnerable species
Transcaspian urial (Ovis orientalis arkal), Badkhyz Reserve, Turkmenistan
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Gertrud & Helmut Denzau / Transcaspian urial (Ovis orientalis arkal), Badkhyz Reserve, Turkmenistan
Paruar protected area, Iran, 1998
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Nigel Marven / Paruar protected area, Iran, 1998
Giant fennel (Ferula badhysi) seed head, Badkhyz, South Turkmenistan.
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Gertrud & Helmut Denzau / Giant fennel (Ferula badhysi) seed head, Badkhyz, South Turkmenistan.
Salt glacier, South West Iran
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Mark Yates / Salt glacier, South West Iran
Turkmenian Wild Ass / Kulan (Equus hemionus kulan) herd, Badkhyz, Turkmenistan. Endangered.
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Gertrud & Helmut Denzau / Turkmenian Wild Ass / Kulan (Equus hemionus kulan) herd, Badkhyz, Turkmenistan. Endangered.