Ramsar Sites of Turkey - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Birds
The sharp cliffs <strong>of</strong> the sinkhole constitute a very important shelter and nesting area for
birds. Among these birds are Tawny pipit (Anthus campestris), Stone curlew (Burhinus
oedicnemus), long-legged buzzard (Buteo rufinus), greater short-toed lark (Calandrella
brachydactyla), greater sand plover (Charadrius leschenaultii), Calandra lark
(Melanocorypha calandra) and black-bellied sandgrouse (Pterocles orientalis). A couple <strong>of</strong>
white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala) was recorded in the site in 2010.
CULTURAL AND SOCIAL ASPECTS
Archeology
the fact that all civilizations occur in the surrounds <strong>of</strong> water.
Located 30 m in the south <strong>of</strong> the sinkhole, Konya-
to remain standing for more than a thousand years, as a common creation <strong>of</strong>
Byzantium,Seljuk and Ottoman cultures. Following the sinkhole was designated as a
<strong>Ramsar</strong> site, activity in the area increased and the inn was included in the restoration
program by the Directorate General <strong>of</strong> Foundations. The restorations works started in
attractive and representative model wi -human
interaction and the common culture.
Past and Present Land Use
The groundwater the sinkhole contains was operated via a pump installed on the sinkhole
crown in the past. In other words the sinkhole water was used for drinking and irrigation
-era caravansary
cance. Today visitors can observe
that the pump has remained over the water level, so sinkhole water cannot be drawn
anymore. Agricultural activities around the sinkhole continue.
NATURAL RESOURCE USE
Agriculture
The most intensive agricultural activity in the site is sugar beet cultivation. Recently the
state has promoted sunflower cultivation, which needs less water. However, sugar beet
cooperatives provide more help for the farmers, so they choose to continue sugar beet
cultivation.
WATERMANAGEMENT PLAN
rare.
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