Hotamış Marshes (750)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Hotamış Sazlığı
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.5500, Longitude: 33.0667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 999 to 999
Area of KBA (km2): 174.05442
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large freshwater marsh situated at the southern edge of the Konya plain, fed by surface run-off, stream and spring water. Areas of reedbed (Phragmites) are interspersed with patches of open water. The IBA includes Süleymanhacý, a groundwater-fed saline lake, 6 km south of the main wetland. Extensive areas of steppe and arable land surround the IBA. Reed-cutting is the main 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: This is an important site for breeding waterbirds, numbers of which have fallen considerably in recent years as a result of low water-levels. Pelecanus crispus is thought to have bred in small numbers until 1990 and Chettusia leucura bred until 1986.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (60%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | hunting (15%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 40 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 40 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The area of wet marsh has decreased in size from c.16,000 ha in 1985 to a few hundred hectares today, as a result of inputs being diverted for irrigation. Current plans involve conversion to a reservoir; embankments will be constructed and the water-level raised to 15 m above its present level. All remaining natural habitats will undoubtedly disappear as a result. DSÝ has promised mitigation measures (details unavailable at the time of writing). No environmental impact assessment has been carried out.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Large dams | Ongoing |