Köyceğiz Lake (801)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Köyceğiz Gölü
Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.8667, Longitude: 28.6333
Area of KBA (km2): 398.57567
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A brackish lake (6,300 ha; max. depth 30 m) fed by springs and several streams. Extensive reedbeds (Phragmites) are found along the east, south-east and northern shores. The delta consists of a labyrinth of (former) flood-plains, reedbeds, lakes and sand beaches. Arable land and forested hills surround the IBA, which also includes a few hundred hectares of Liquidambar forest. Economic activities include greenhouse farming and cattle-grazing.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Mediterranean Hotspot (2017). Taxonomy, nomenclature and global threat category follow the 2016 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: This is an important site for wintering waterbirds. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (thought to breed in the surrounds).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | fisheries/aquaculture (40%) | tourism/recreation (50%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 33 | |
| Forest | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The wetland is polluted by agricultural run-off and untreated urban waste, although sewage treatment plants for Dalyan and Köyceðiz are now being constructed. Heavy tourist-boat traffic on the canals between the lake and the sea causes disturbance to birds and wave-damage to reedbeds. The MedSPA authority has developed a management plan for the entire area but only partial implementation has been achieved.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Shipping lanes | Ongoing |