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Kusadasi and Kulturpark Rotary Clubs are located nearby the ancient city of Ephesus and the House of Virgin Mary. This area gets millions of visitors from all over the world throughout the year.
We have observed increasing numbers of deteriorated pine trees in the recent years in this area. As a result of our contacts with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forest local authority, we were informed that this was another devastating local result of global warming, caused by the overgrowth of pine processionary moth (PPM). You may have noticed this moth with its cotton-like white caterpillar bags on pine trees in your area as well.
The height increments of the trees are damaged by this pest and a loss in volume occurs, eventually resulting in a burnt like appearances. The damage continues intensively for a few years, weakening the tree and making it vulnerable for other secondary pests. Contact with the hair of the caterpillar causes skin rashes, eye irritations and allergic reactions in human. These cause serious problems in such a holy and historical site not only as an environmental and visual catastrophe but also for human health.
Approximately 80.000 acres of forest is affected annually in Turkey. The local authority can only focus on the 2 % of this area. The implementation area of our project is app. 9000 acres. The duration of the effect is expected to be at least 10 years.
We prepared our Project to control PPM via natural and biological precautions and prevent its potential danger for the environment by three means:
1. Collecting egg masses during organized Rotary District (2440) picnics through August-October and driving public attention.
2. Placing trap cages method (gabion basket-like): 400 gabion basket-like traps are needed.
3. Increasing the natural predators method (birds such as great tit, parus major, and great spotted cuckoo, clamator glandarius): 1000 birdcages are needed.
The first method will be achieved by the two afore mentioned Rotary Clubs acquiring the support of 2440 Rotary District.
We require financial support for the 2nd and 3rd methods as detailed below. The obtained tools will be handed to the local authority of Ministry of Agriculture and Forest, who will be responsible for the placement and the maintenance. We will receive annual reports containing quantitative results of the effects of the Project.
Total cost of Project: 30,000 USD.
Gabion basket-like traps: 400 pc x $ 60.00 = 24,000 USD
Bird cage: 1000 pc x $ 4.00 = 4,000 USD
Observation tools: 4 pc x $ 500.00 = 2,000 USD
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