Bio-diversity

The Palas Lake is one of 97 important bird areas in Turkey, and was declared a natural SIT site in 1993. The lake, which is located at 40 km. northeast of Kayseri is surrounded by mud plains, salicornia steppes, freshwater areas. Small islands are found on the lake. Having such a rich ecosystem diversity, lake contains high biodiversity. Even if the catchment area is small compared to other lakes , it sustains the 60% of bird species found in Turkey. It is known that Greater Sandplover (Charadrius asiaticus) and Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca) are breeding and Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) is wintering in the area in large numbers. Two species of the area, Great Bustard (Otis tarda) and Ferruginous Duck (Aythya nyroca), are also listed in the IUCN Red List.Local people sustain their life mainly by agriculture and animal husbandry. Most significant characteristic of the lake is that human and ecosystem relationship enhances biodiversity. Man-made reedy areas, which were made to graise cattles, formed a habitat for different species to feed and breed. The most important threat to the lake is the draining project of State Water Work (DSI). As it is in the case of other draining studies in Turkey, this would result in loss of overall biodiversity in the area. The second important threat on birdlife of the area is illegal hunting.The aim of the project is to make a documentary film on Palas Lake and its surrounding, in which the threats and the proposed solutions will be defined by the stakeholders both local and national.

Turkey