Eşmekaya Marshes (835)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Eşmekaya Sazlığı
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.2333, Longitude: 33.5167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 945 to 945
Area of KBA (km2): 79.41891
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The area comprises a permanent freshwater lake (groundwater-fed), large expanses of marsh and rush pasture, two salt-lakes (Akgöl and Bezirci) and a number of small satellite wetlands east of the main lake. Juncus covers most of the dry, salty soils, especially in the south. Typha and Cladium are common to the north with Phragmites being the dominant species around the main 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 is an important area for breeding raptors and several wetland species. Significant numbers of wildfowl occur in winter. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Circus macrourus (only known Turkish breeding locality).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | hunting (10%) | not utilised (60%) | water management (20%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 35 | |
| Grassland | 63 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 2 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Work has begun on a DSÝ project to turn Eþmekaya lake into a reservoir for irrigation purposes; the lake's ecological character will be radically altered as a result.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of ground water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |