Climate change expands dry zones in Türkiye
A study reveals Mediterranean and semi-arid climates are expanding in Türkiye, while cold zones contract and shift higher.
Boğaziçi University Climate Change and Policies Application and Research Center Board Member Murat Türkeş and İzmir Bakırçay University physical geography researcher Nami Yurtseven built 2041-2070 and 2071-2099 projections using IPCC emission scenarios.
Between 1961-1990 and 1991-2020, Mediterranean climates grew from 28.9 to 31.8 percent and semi-arid steppes from 21.9 to 24.2 percent. Cold climates dropped from 24 to 19.3 percent.
“In all future scenarios we examined, the largest area in Türkiye, approximately 40 to 45 percent, will be covered by hot and very hot subtropical Mediterranean climates,” Murat Türkeş said. Steppes will cover 30 to 35 percent and cold climates 10 percent, with desert zones expanding.
