Ecosystem Research and Implementation Center (EKOSAM) explores the ecological structure, function, and diversity of terrestrial (e.g., forest, grassland) and aquatic (lake, pond, lagoons, coastal) ecosystems, which are hotspots for maintaining biodiversity, ecosystem functions, and processes. Our research aims to understand the impact of global changes (e.g., climate change, land and water use, eutrophication, salinization, brownification) on ecosystems through funding obtained from international (EU-Framework and Horizon 2020) and national projects. The impact of these drivers has been investigated using multiple approaches, including on-land and in situ mesocosm experimental systems, to develop a mechanistic understanding of ecosystem processes (please see METU-Mesocosm Systems I and II). Long-term ecological monitoring has also been employed in our research, providing high temporal resolution. When combined with the "space-for-time substitution" approach, the increased spatial resolution allows for a comprehensive understanding of the impact of global changes on ecosystem structure, function, and diversity. Modeling and paleoecological approaches are also implemented in our research when necessary.

In all these different research approaches, we focus on horizontal and vertical community structures, including birds, butterflies, insects, trees, perennial plants, the microbial loop, plankton, aquatic plants, and fish. Their taxonomic diversity, as well as functional diversity, are currently under investigation to develop an understanding of how resilient these ecosystems can be in the face of global changes while maintaining ecosystem functions and processes.

The restoration of lakes and ponds using nature-based solutions to maintain a high ecological state with clear water and high biodiversity, and to develop resilient ecosystems in the face of climate change, has also been a primary focus of our research. Restoration through biomanipulation and follow-up monitoring programs has been undertaken for more than 20 years in local lakes. Recently, we have become interested in pond restoration, recreation, and management based on the principles of nature-based solutions, as ponds support up to 70% of the regional freshwater species pool. They also support a larger proportion of rare, endemic, and threatened species than lakes and rivers.