The dimensions of tourism are now far beyond that of "sun and fun" tourism, both of which can be found in most parts of the world. The new dimensions of tourism cover what is now called "ecotourism", which involves close contact with nutare and the biological diversity of the visited regions. Since each region has its own typical landscape, unique plants, butterflies, birds and other organismis, informed tourists want to see and enjoy the natural heritage of a region they visit.

The Antalya, region, which is unique in its climate and geography, is exceptionally rich in its hicstorical, natural and biological resources. One can see palm-covered beaches and snow-capped mountains side by side in the region. Deep gloomy canyons and towering brigth peaks all lie adjancent to each other in this area, Fertile plains covered by exuberant citrus orchards on the one hand, and rocky slopes spotted by undemanding juniper trees on the other, exhibit unusual contrasts of nature in the Antalya region. You can observ colorfui Tourists come to our region, not only for swimming at the golden shores and visiting historcal treasures, but also for observing unuque plant and animal species to enjoy the endless beauty of nature.

BETUYAB (Belek Tourism Investors Association) is one of the few establishments that timely recognizes the merits of ecotourism, and gives due attention to the sound development and sustainability of biological diversity in Belek as well as to the whole Antalya district. The first step in this direction is the understanding of the elements of nature. Plants are the chief and the most influential elements of nature, since they provide many vital services to other organisms (oxygen, food, shelter, medicine...) and maintain the overall balance of an ecosystem (preventing soil erosion, regulating climate and water regime...)

Endemic plants naturally grow only in restricted geographical areas on earth : They are often unique in their ecological and physiological behaviours. Theerfore, endemic plants in an area should be given the highest priority in conservation activites, for they are the biological heritage for all of mankind.

This booklet on the endemic plants of Belek has been intended to assist those who would enjoy the amazing biodiversity of the plant world in the Belek District. There are 574 plant taxa identified and thirty-one taxa are recorded endemic in the Belek area. Of these, eighteen taxa are regionally endemic ( found in only Anatolia) and twelve taxa are locally endemic (i.e., found only in the Antalya region). In this guide booklet twenty of these endemic species is En (Endangered; Pyrus serikensis), eight species are V (Vulnerable; Allium junceum subsp.tridentatum, Anthemis ammophila, Centaurea pamphylica, Glycyrrhiza asymmetrica, Petrorhagia hispidula, Plygonum praelongum, Velezia pseudorigida, Petrorhagia pamphylica), nine species are R (Rare; Alkanna tinctoria subsp. subleiocarpa, Dianthus elegans var.cous, Iberis caria, Ornithogalum alpigerum, Picris campylocarpa, Sideritis condensata, Thymus revolutus, Helichrysum pamphylicum, Stachys aleurites), twelve species are Nt (Not Threatened; Alcea apterocarpa, Astragalus tmoleus var.bounacanthus, Bellevalia clusiana, Campanula lyrata subsp.lyrata, Galium floribundum subsp.airoides, Hyacinthella heldreichii, Knautia byzantina, Phlomis nissolii, Rosularia globulariifolia, Phlomis leucophracta, Stachlys cretica subsp.anatolica, Scrophularia pinardii) and one of these species is O (Out of danger; Fraxinus ornus subsp.cilicica).