Page 92 - Sustainability REPORT'23

Possible Factors Causing the Decline

The report emphasized that the Spermophilus
population was damaged due to global warming,

drought caused by climate change and malnutrition
due to vegetation weakness. It was also stated that
the infections caused by pathogens, which are
microorganisms that cause diseases and infections,

may also affect the decline in the Spermophilus
population that continues to exist outside the
campus area. The findings of the study revealed the
negative effects of the heavy burden and

complications caused by unplanned urbanization
and constructions, the remarkableaaaa

increase in the number of cats and dogs left on the streets during the Covid-19
pandemic, the negative effect of the rainy and cold spring season in 2022 on the
offspring growth in the Spermophilus population, the negative impact of possible
circadian rhythm fluctuations caused by shifting seasons on the breeding periods of
Spermophilus, and the negative effect of the increase in recreation and landscaping

work areas.

According to the report, birds, foxes,
snakes, domestic cats and dogs, which
can exhibit hunting behaviors towards
the Spermophilus population, one of

the living things constituting the most
disadvantageous group in the food
chain, to hunt or use them as food,
directly have negative effects on them.

The negative impact of the applied
irrigation and mowing programs on
the Spermophilus population and the
expansion of the grass planting areas

in the campus ecosystem against the
other seed natural plants, the main
food preference of Spermophilus, were
listed as other factors that negatively

affect the population dynamics.

ERCİYES UNIVERSITY
SUSTAINABILITY REPORT 2023