TR018
Lesser Menderes Delta This is an IBA in danger! 


Year of compilation: 2000

Site description
A wetland complex comprising çakal lake (a 74-ha, 4-m-deep freshwater lake), Gebekirse lake (a 75-ha, 5-m-deep brackish lake) and marshes on the alluvial plain north of the Küçük Menderes river. The former Ceva°ir lake floods only in winter.



Key biodiversity
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
DSÝ plans to construct four dams on the Küçük Menderes river and its tributaries for irrigation purposes. This will greatly reduce inflows to the wetland and may lead to the drying up of the Elaman and Akgöl marshes. Coastal tourism developments are encroaching from the north and south. The effects of the airstrip are unknown.



Protected areas
National High International None1,000 ha of IBA covered by Permanent Wildlife Reserve (Küçük Menderes Deltasý, 1,000 ha). 1,500 ha of IBA covered by SÝT (Küçük Menderes Deltasý, 1,500 ha).




Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Lesser Menderes Delta. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 31/03/2023.