ITU Bioblitz 2025 brought ITU members together with expert researchers to identify, protect, and enhance the ecosystem at Ayazağa Campus on International Day for Biological Diversity. The event was organized in collaboration with the ITU Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences (EIES) and the ITU Commission on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Ecosystems.

Attending the event, ITU Rector Prof. Dr. Hasan Mandal emphasized the unique biodiversity of the ITU Ayazağa Campus, noting that it serves as a habitat for nearly one-third of the approximately 500 bird species identified in Türkiye. Prof. Dr. Mandal also highlighted the importance of field observations conducted during the ITU Bioblitz 2025 for protecting and sustaining biodiversity at the university.

The event included Dr. Emrah Çoraman, a natural scientist from the ITU Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences; expert researchers Prof. Dr. Ünal Akkemik, a botanist from Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa; Dr. Fatih Dikmen, an entomologist from Istanbul University; and Dr. Esra Ergin Erdoğmuş, a botanist from the Nature Conservation Center. The goal of the event was to learn about campus ecosystems and identify the most species in a single day. The event began with an introduction to the campus ecosystem by Dr. Emrah Çoraman.  After a joint observation walk around the ITU Pond, participants split into research areas and later compiled their findings at the Eurasia Institute of Earth Sciences. Then, Dr. Fatih Dikmen and Dr. Ünal Akkemik discussed the findings on insects and plants, respectively. 

A notable example of citizen science, the ITU Bioblitz events have collectively identified approximately 1,000 species on the Ayazağa Campus. In the 2025 event alone, nearly 400 different species were recorded in just one day. By documenting and monitoring its biodiversity, ITU actively contributes to the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity.

The project link: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/itu-tur-say-2025

The traditional ITU BioBlitz event was organized by the ITU Commission on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Ecosystems on May 22 as part of the celebrations of the International Day for Biodiversity. ITU BioBlitz events aim to record as many species as possible living on the ITU Ayazağa Campus in one day, using a citizen science approach.

During this year's "ITU BioBlitz 2024" event, students, volunteers, and expert academicians from various universities documented more than 2,000 records covering more than 350 species of flora, fauna, and fungi on campus. In addition, the most common species on campus and the ecosystems under threat within the campus were identified. The event also included educational lectures on campus ecosystems, where Dr. Emrah Çoraman and Dr. Fatih Dikmen spoke about the campus's birds and insects, respectively. 

Despite being located in the city center, the ITU Ayazağa campus stands out for its diverse ecosystems and rich biodiversity. The campus is particularly rich in plant diversity, hosting endemic species such as the Early Everlasting-Pea (Lathyrus undulatus), which only lives in and around Istanbul, as well as trees from the Black Sea region such as Quercus petraea, Quercus robur, and Quercus frainetto, and various species representing Mediterranean flora such as Quercus coccifera, Spartium junceum, Cistus, and Phillyrea. The campus also provides rich habitats and feeding grounds for more than 160 recorded bird species.

The “ITU BioBlitz 2023” event was organized by ITU Commission on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Ecosystems as a part of the International Day for Biological Diversity. The event brings volunteers and experts together to record and identify species living on the Ayazağa Campus. More than 50 volunteers including students of both ITU and other universities and citizens were attended to the event. Field experts of plants, mammals, reptiles, insects, and birds informed volunteers on the land and aquatic ecosystems and guided them for species identification. During the event, more than 1800 observations were recorded and more than 400 species were identified from all over the campus. ITU will continue to work to increase awareness about biodiversity and protect it.

The project link: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/itu-tur-say-2023

The news page: https://sustainability.itu.edu.tr/en/news-detail/2023/05/25/itu-bioblitz-2023

ITU Commission on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Biodiversity and Ecosystems organized a BioBlitz event as a part of the 22 April Earth Day. The event brings volunteers and experts together to record and identify species living on campus. “ITU BioBlitz 2022” took place in the ITU Ayazağa Campus. More than 50 volunteers including students of both ITU and other universities and citizens were attended to the events. Field experts of plants, mammals, reptiles, insects, and birds informed and guided volunteers on species identification as well as the land and aquatic ecosystems. During the event, more than 1500 observations were recorded and more than 300 species were identified from all over the campus. ITU will continue to work to increase awareness about biodiversity and to protect biodiversity.

The project link: https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/itu-tur-say-2022

More: https://www.cbd.int/biodiversity-day/celebrations/tr