KEMALİYE ECOLOGY FIELD TRIP
“I learned that Anatolia was under the sea in early ages.
We searched for sea urchin and leaf fossils at Sarıçiçek
Yayla. We found a leaf fossil and we could see a sea
urchin fossil in the Prof.Dr. Ali Demirsoy Nature History
Kemaliye (Erzincan) provides lots of opportunities for
observation and practical work with habitat richness,
diversity of flora and fauna, geological features and
cultural texture. There are a lot of sub-habitat groups
that can represent terrestrial and water ecosystems
in Kemaliye. As water ecosystems there are mountain
lakes, streams, and rivers with strong currents, slow
and calm fluxes and dams and as terrestrial ecosystems
there are steppe, forests, orchards, mountain habitats,
serpentine areas and rocky areas.
It was a great experience for the IB Biology students in
terms of carrying out hands on activities in the field,
witnessing beauties of biodiversity, getting over some of
their phobias, and so making a strong connection with
nature. Here are some of the reflections by students;
Museum. We also observed dung beetles which are
called Onthophagus taurus scientifically. I am afraid of
insects especially the big ones. However, during the field
trip, I hold too many insects in my hand and it was an
awesome experience for me. I felt myself as a part of
nature. I also saw shepherd's purse plant for the first time
in my life. It has thorns and purple flower. Furthermore,
too many green grasshoppers are living inside it. It
made me remember the Disney Movies I watched in my
childhood. On our last day, our teacher found a dead
Anatolian Spotted Salamander Neurergus strauchii and
we brought it to Erzurum in alcohol in order to have
a sample in our school laboratory. Last but not least, I
heard the sound of too many sing birds in the mornings
and even during the nights. I learned that nightingales
are singing at night. We listened the bird songs all day
long. It was an unforgettable experience.”
Doğa BULAT
12- D
THE CLAPPER 2018 - 2019
63
Kemaliye (Erzincan) ecology field trip was organized by
Biology teachers Bige Sözen Kılıç and Özge Keşaplı Can
with 20 11th grade students on 4-6 May 2018 as a part of
IBDP Biology Internal Assessment studies. Yusuf Durmuş
from the Zoology Department of Hacettepe University
Faculty of Science participated to the trip as a consultant
and shared his invaluable experiences about the ecology
and biogeography of the area.