Key Biodiversity Areas

Balıkdamı (805)
Turkey, Europe

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Balıkdamı
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.1833, Longitude: 31.6167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 799 to 799
Area of KBA (km2): 32.99083
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Balýkdamý is one of the few remaining wetlands on the Sakarya river, elsewhere flood-plain and marsh habitats have been reclaimed for agricultural use. The eastern part of the IBA comprises 503 ha of reedbed (Phragmites), open water and mudflats. The western part consists of extensive areas of marsh and grassland. Human activities include cereal production and extensive stock-grazing.
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 IBA is important for breeding raptors and herons (Ardeidae) and as a stop-over site for passage Ciconia ciconia and waterbirds. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Phalacrocorax pygmeus (thought to breed).

Habitats

Land use: agriculture (25%) | hunting (25%) | not utilised (50%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Artificial - Terrestrial19
Wetlands(Inland)76
Grassland5

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: DSÝ plans to irrigate the upper reaches of the Sakarya river, a project that will involve the reclamation of the entire western part of the IBA. A permanent lake of c.500 ha will also be created in the eastern part of the IBA, resulting in the loss of virtually all the ecologically important marsh and mudflat areas.
Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Natural system modificationsDams & water management/useAbstraction of surface water (agricultural use)Only in the future