Yeşilırmak Delta (817)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Yeşilırmak Deltası
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.2833, Longitude: 36.9333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 201.32118
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Part of the largest delta on the Turkish Black Sea coast, the majority of which is now under agriculture. The IBA comprises the largest remaining wetland˜the Simenlik-Akgöl lake complex˜a 1,900-ha area in the eastern part of the delta of which 200 ha is open water (max. depth 3 m), and the remainder is reed Phragmites and marsh vegetation. Also included are dunes and Cladium fen communities. Reed-cutting takes place (`Other' land-use).
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.
Additional biodiversity: The site is important for breeding waterbirds and congregations of wintering wildfowl. The majority of the latter are forced to spend the day at sea as a result of human disturbance, returning to feed in the delta at night. No information is available on the natural importance of the delta prior to large-scale drainage.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | forestry (5%) | hunting (20%) | not utilised (45%) | tourism/recreation (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 30 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 | |
| Shrubland | 4 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Ongoing drainage and irrigation projects threaten the remaining areas of natural wetland. Pinus forests designed to stabilize the dunes and Salix/Alnus plantations threaten to outcompete native vegetation. The lake complex is fed entirely by irrigation drains, leading to severe nutrient enrichment and the lakes becoming choked by reed. Fish catches are reported to have declined as a result of pollution. An airport is planned north-west of çarsamba, 25 km from the delta. Although closed to hunters, the area is subject to heavy hunting pressure throughout the year.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |