Abstract: Turkey is in the first place among the European and Middle Eastern Countries, expect the Independent States Association, regarding with wetlands. Eastern Anatolia region has special importance in wetlands because of its high potential around the country. A great amount of significant bird areas is wetlands. The main point of this study was to evaluate 31 wetlands along the East Anatolia Region in respect to size of wetland, present bird species, positive and negative effects on the local environment.
INTRODUCTION
Wetlands, the most threatened areas among the habitats, include large and small lakes, rivers, swamps, deltas and coastal regions, where biodiversity and production are in their maximum. Wetlands are playing an important role in the lives of the people who survive dwell around them and they are big source of income for the economy of the countries. These regions are important and distinctive for the conservation of natural balance[1,2].
Turkey is the richest country in Europe and the Middle East Independent States Federation for wetlands[1,3]. Turkey is among the most important countries where the significant biological reserves, gene reserves and ecosystems are present. Nowadays, being as a developing country, Turkey has to bring up projects for the use of natural sources in addition to improvements in economy, industry, education and many others. Conservation of existing natural sources, plants, animals and microorganisms and consequently, physical environment [in which these are present] is essential for development[4,7].
There have been no productive studies on wetlands as on other natural values of country. For this reason, location of many wetlands is unknown so, their values have not been detected yet. In the study, the wetlands of the East Anatolia Region were evaluated for common features such as location, importance, the problems encountered and conservation involvement of the wetlands in the area. Overall goal of this study is to make people aware of wetlands and to increase consciousness.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study was carried out in the Eastern Anatolia Region of Turkey during the summer months of 2002-2004. The East Anatolia Region is the largest geographic region of Turkey. It covers about 163 km2 area which is equal to 21% of whole of Turkey (Fig. 1). It is the regions of Turkey with an elevation of 200 m from the sea level.
Thirty one wetlands (an area of approximately 803.980 ha) in 4 watersheds in 12 towns were evaluated in this study (Fig. 2). The study method was based on surveys, data obtaining, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Natural and cultural properties were also determined by surveys and data obtaining (maps, photographs, plans, documents, internet and interviewing authorities) and on-site observation and measurement.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The watersheds studied are located in the Northeast bird road. In the Eastern part of Black Sea Region, more than 200,000 birds are flying through the East Anatolia by passing over the River Coruh in the autumn immigrations which is between the last week of August and the second week of October. Some birds fly toward Van Lake and Yuksekova while more crowded piles fly to Kahramanmaras and Antakya in the direction of south west. This immigration over Turkey is the biggest bird of prey immigration in the West Paleactric Zone. During this seven week immigration period millions of singing birds also follow this route[5].
Van interior watershed: It consists 11 wetlands with an area of 428.523 ha (Table 1).
| Fig. 1: | Location of study area |
| Fig. 2: | The wetlands in the East Anatolia region |
Van, Ercek and Nazik Lakes were formed by the volcanic blockage of the streams of flowing in the banks formed by the tectonic activities.
The Interior Watershed of Van Lake, which can not flow its water into near seas, is the largest interior watershed following the Interior Watershed of Middle Anatolia. Van Lake has the largest surface area in Turkey; it is the 13th among the biggest interior lakes all over the world and the biggest of the lakes with sodium carbonated water. Wild life in the water of the lake is restricted by soda which relatively adapted to sodium carbonated water, can grow up in the lake. Although the lake, not suitable for drinkable and irrigation water supply, has a big potential of transportation, water sports, recreation and tourism. It is utilized at a low level. Among the lakes in the region, only Van Lake is conserved. All others in the area have the problems such as pollution, soil erosion and interference of water supply regimes. In Ercek Lake, exotic species were implanted but it could not be achieved.
Dicle watershed: It comprises two wetlands and has an area of 24.900 ha (Table 1). This watershed is a natural area where F2rat turtles, red-wattled plover (Hoplopterus indicus), kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) survive. Yuksekova includes has the highest wetland of Turkey. Wetlands are getting smaller in the purpose of expanding the agricultural areas. In addition, it receives people of immigration.
Firat watershed: It includes 8 wetlands and an area of 142.461 ha (Table 1). There is no area in conservation status except Otlukbeli Lake in the Watershed. Dams built in area are changing the wildlife. Eksi Su, in the west of Erzincan Plain, has the properties which are sufficient to make it Ramsar area because of the population of birds such as crane (Grus grus, gloosy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) and bull heron.
| Table 1: | The wetlands on the East Anatolia region[8,9] |
The natural balance of Eksi Su is about to be corrupted because of the heavy construction in Erzincan, overgrazing in winter and drainage.
Valley Murat includes the widest natural steppes and flood plains in East Anatolia Region. Because of the construction of the dam in the west of Bulan2k Plain and transition from traditional weed cutting techniques to the techniques employing engine, the flood area plains and steppes are getting devastated.
Aras watershed: It comprises 12 wetlands and an area of 208098 ha (Table 1). Wetlands in the area are generally utilized in the aims of agriculture, cattle dealing, fishing and picking rush. There is no conservation status in this area except Hazar and Kuyucuk Lakes.
Wetlands of the East Anatolia Region that had been evaluated and it is conclude covers about 5% of these whole region=s area. It could be stated that among the watersheds examined Van interior watershed included the widest wetland areas (53%), aras watersheed (26%), F2rat watersheed (18%) while Dicle watershed is in the least (3%) comparing with the number of wetlands included, it was also stated that 12 wetlands belong to aras watershed (37%), 11 wetlands belong to Van watersheed (33%), 7 belong to F2rat watersheed (24%) whereas 1 belong to Dicle watershed (6%).
Seventy-six percent of the wetlands in the study area are under no conservation scope. The city with the highest wetland numbers is Van (with 8 wetlands), followed by Mus (with 4 wetlands).
Wetlands on the East Anotolia Region route are less devastated compared to the others. It was stated that native people around the wetlands are generally occupied with agriculture, feeding animals, fishing and cutting rushes. Pollution sizes of the wetlands are not at the dangerous levels. Polluting sources are in the majority domestic wastes and industrial in the minority. However, the affects on the wetlands are increasing toward the south, because of the increase in the population and agricultural areas. Although the study area has a very rich bio-diversity, majority of the wetlands can not be conserved.
The areas where, the biodiversity has been lost, are the Rivers Dicle and F2rat and their surroundings. These areas include the many organisms rooted from mesopotamian aquatic communities and Middle East semi arid (semi dessert) regions. Most of these organisms are not seen in the other parts of Turkey. The fishes and the birds, which need Dicle and F2rat River ecosystem to survive and the reptiles and the mammals, which adapted to the semi desserts are mostly endangered in the national scale. In the wetlands in the North Black Sea Region Mountains and even many other places in Turkey, the number of endangered species seems to be increasing (6).
It is crucial that ecological characteristics of wetlands biological, chemical and physical elements should be evaluated in the conservation aspect searching their interrelationships.