Current view: Text account
Site description (2000 baseline):
Site location and context
Situated at the head of the Büyük Menderes river south of Akdað (IBA 019), this freshwater lake (max. depth 7 m) is fed by streams and springs. The lake stores irrigation water for the surrounding agricultural plains, and high water-levels mean that marsh vegetation is only present where the Kufi channel deposits silt into the lake. The IBA includes Gökgöl marshes (including a max. 300 ha lake) 3 km east of Iþýklý Gölü.
This site is important for breeding waterbirds and large numbers of wintering wildfowl. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria:
Haliaeetus albicilla (seen throughout the year).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Poor water management has led to the lake being emptied on several occasions. High spring water-levels do not permit the development of suitable breeding habitat, and mudflats, important as feeding areas for birds during winter and spring, have been largely eliminated (`Other' threat). Fisheries are uncontrolled, with out-of-season fishing widespread. Hunting is a significant problem, with shooting taking place throughout the winter.
National None
International None
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Işıklı Lake (Türkiye). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/işıklı-lake-iba-türkiye on 23/12/2024.
