Sapanca Lake (812)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1d
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Sapanca Gölü
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.7167, Longitude: 30.2333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 31 to 31
Area of KBA (km2): 70.99593
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A freshwater lake (max. depth 61 m) formerly connected to the Sea of Marmara and fed by the Sakarya river. Arable land, fruit orchards and extensive Populus plantations surround the lake. Narrow reedbeds (Phragmites) fringe most of its shores; only at the eastern end does substantial marsh vegetation occur. Lake water is abstracted for industrial 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 important for wintering wildfowl.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (25%) | urban/industrial/transport (100%) | water management (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 41 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 59 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The lake is facing severe pollution problems from rapidly developing industries in its catchment, and from untreated sewage and agricultural run-off. Sapanca has become popular as a second-home resort; construction is taking place on the forested hillsides south of the lake.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of ground water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |