Kars-Igdir Biodiversity Project (KIBP) covers Kars and neighbouring cities (Ağrı, Ardahan, Artvin and Iğdır), which are some of the richest and threatened natural environments of Turkey. Kars is located at the north-eastern corner of Anatolia where the Iran-Anatolian and Caucasus biodiversity hotspots (34 on the entire planet) meet. Additionally north-eastern part of Turkey contains 11 important plant areas, 13 important bird areas and 22 key biodiversity areas. Although this region harbours some of the most important ecosystems of Turkey, its unique nature is degrading rapidly and locals are encountering environmental problems like erosion, flood, pollution and disappearance of useful plants.   

We chose Kars as a project centre because one of the important universities of the region is situated in Kars, the project is conducted in collaboration with Kafkas Universitiy students and teachers, and Kafkas University, Kars governate, and Kars Municipality have been interested in our project since 2003. Besides Kafkas University, Kars governate, and Kars Municipality, Kars and Iğdır Environment and Forestry bureaus have also helped our project at many stages. Yukarı Çıyrıklı village in Iğdır-Tuzluca and Kuyucuk village in Kars-Arpacay have shown us great hospitality for months during our bird banding research. We thank all of our partners and volunteers for their support.