Seyfe Lake (754)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Seyfe Gölü
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.2667, Longitude: 34.4333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1120 to 1200
Area of KBA (km2): 463.86774
Protected area coverage (%): 21.71
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A shallow stream- and spring-fed brackish lake (max. 9,350 ha, average winter depth 1 m) situated at the southern end of the Seyfe basin. The shoreline is flat and muddy, and the lake area decreases during summer. Arable fields are present to the south and west, with extensive steppe in the north and north-east. East of Kýzýldaðyeniyapan village are 1,500 ha of brackish-freshwater marsh. Twelve scrub- and grass-covered islands are present. Human activities include sheep- and cattle-grazing in the steppes to the north of the lake.
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 site is important for a range of breeding waterbirds and for large numbers of wintering wildfowl. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Marmaronetta angustirostris (may breed).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | hunting (5%) | not utilised (85%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 48 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 6 | |
| Other | 44 | |
| Grassland | 2 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: A DSI; project is underway to reduce the lake's area by diverting inflows. Steppes north and east of the lake will be reclaimed for agriculture, and most of the breeding islands and all of the brackish-freshwater marsh will disappear. Provisions will be made to divert water to the lake in times of drought, in theory creating a more stable lake area. Artificial breeding islands will be created. The ecological risks associated with the project are great, and a thorough environmental impact assessment has not been carried out.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |