Kızılırmak Delta (746)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1c, A1d, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Kızılırmak Deltası
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.6333, Longitude: 36.0667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 90
Area of KBA (km2): 304.78809
Protected area coverage (%): 67.19
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The largest area of intact wetland on the Turkish Black Sea coast, comprising open water, marsh vegetation (including vast reedbeds), sand-dunes, farmland and remnant woodland (including Alnus/Fraxinus seasonally-flooded forest). The lake edges support Phragmites and Typha; the dunes support maquis-like vegetation. Outside the IBA, the delta is used for grazing and intensive arable production. Reed-cutting is an important economic activity (`Other' land-use).
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: The site is very important for breeding, wintering and passage waterbirds, with over 10,000 waders passing through the delta in spring. Thirty-five species of passerine breed in the forests and Haliaeetus albicilla has bred in the past.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (20%) | fisheries/aquaculture (60%) | hunting (15%) | tourism/recreation (15%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 70 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The Bafra irrigation project will claim a large part of the remaining wetland. Other major threats include pollution from agricultural run-off and untreated sewage, and the construction of holiday homes. Illegal hunting still takes place. Fish catches have declined in the eastern half of the delta, possibly as a result of over-fishing and pollution. Sand extraction, although illegal, is common. Reed-burning occurs throughout the year to improve grazing conditions. DHKD ran a conservation project from 1992 to 1997 and lobbied for suitable protection for the area. A 1996 management plan regulates all land-use in the delta, and places restrictions on the construction of holiday homes.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Nutrient loads | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing |