Dish of the Day

Kiraz Erciyas Yavuz, Director of the Ornithology Research Center at Ondokuz Mayıs University (OMU), stated that the Kızılırmak Delta is one of the most significant wetlands in terms of biodiversity and that conservation efforts continue both to protect this richness and to support the livelihoods of local communities.

Prof. Dr. Yavuz told Anadolu Agency that wetlands occupy a vital place among the world’s ecosystems. Although wetlands cover approximately 6 percent of the Earth’s land surface, they host nearly 40 percent of plant and animal species, making them highly productive ecosystems in terms of biodiversity. She noted that wetlands play a crucial role in flood control and carbon storage, providing benefits that would otherwise require significant financial, energy, and labor resources to achieve. “For these reasons, the continuity and protection of wetlands are of great importance,” she said.

“The condition of wetlands in Türkiye is not very good”

Pointing out that Türkiye has 14 wetlands under the Ramsar Convention, Prof. Dr. Yavuz continued:

“Türkiye has committed internationally to protecting these 14 wetlands. There are currently 138 wetlands registered by the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks. Unfortunately, the condition of wetlands in Türkiye is not very good; they are drying out and being lost. There are improper agricultural practices, expanding urbanization, and conversion into farmland. Habitat loss is increasing, and this trend is accelerating. Since the early 1900s, approximately 64 percent of the world’s wetlands have been lost, and in recent years this rate has increased further due to the effects of climate change.”

“The Kızılırmak Delta is one of Europe’s important wetlands”

Emphasizing that the Kızılırmak Delta is highly significant both in Türkiye and across Europe, Prof. Dr. Yavuz highlighted its remarkable biodiversity. She stated that the delta hosts around 600 plant species and that local residents continue to engage in agriculture, livestock farming, and reed harvesting in the area.

“People have used the area effectively and continue to do so. Therefore, conservation efforts in the Kızılırmak Delta are ongoing to ensure both the protection of biodiversity and the continuation of local livelihoods,” she said.

“The only wetland on Türkiye’s UNESCO Natural Heritage Tentative List”

Noting that various institutions conduct research in the Kızılırmak Delta, Prof. Dr. Yavuz said that it is the only wetland in Türkiye included on the UNESCO World Natural Heritage Tentative List as a natural site. She added that the area is the subject of intensive research and conservation work carried out by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the General Directorate of Nature Conservation and National Parks, universities, and non-governmental organizations.

“When we look at bird species, approximately 500 species have been identified across Türkiye, while around 360 species have been recorded in the Kızılırmak Delta alone. We observe that these species spend critical stages of their life cycles—such as breeding, wintering, and feeding—in the delta. As the Ornithology Research Center, we carry out restoration activities in the field with the support of the institutions I mentioned to ensure the continuity of these species,” she said.

The Kızılırmak Delta is known for its bird species, feral horses, water buffalo, floodplain forests, reeds, and aquatic plants. Prof. Dr. Yavuz also noted the presence of several species in decline worldwide. Among the plant species in the area are the sand lily, which is disappearing due to the destruction of dune habitats, as well as rare species such as the lake onion and Kilyos violet.

She further pointed out that the critically endangered toothcarp fish species inhabits the delta and that among bird species, the globally threatened ferruginous duck breeds, winters, and reaches high numbers in the area during migration. Sixteen bird species that spend a significant portion of their life cycle in the delta face extinction risk. The European turtle dove, another vulnerable species, breeds in high numbers in the delta and uses the area during migration in large flocks.

“The Kızılırmak Delta is an essential habitat for these species,” she said.