Ramsar Sites of Turkey - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Preface
<strong>Turkey</strong> adheres to certain international contracts concerning the conservation <strong>of</strong> the vulnerable
ecosystems and species it possesses. One <strong>of</strong> the most important international contracts on nature
conservation is The <strong>Convention</strong> on Wetlands <strong>of</strong> International Importance, especially as Waterfowl
Habitat, or in short, <strong>Ramsar</strong> <strong>Convention</strong>, developed in the city <strong>of</strong> <strong>Ramsar</strong> in Iran at 1971 and come
to force in 1975. This convention covers lakes and rivers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands
and peatlands, oases, estuaries, deltas and tidal flats, near-shore marine areas, mangroves and
coral reefs, and human-made sites such as fish ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs, and salt pans over
the world and essentially aims at the conservation and wise use <strong>of</strong> wetlands. This concept is
defined as the application <strong>of</strong> an ecosystem based approach with a vision <strong>of</strong> sustainable
development and the conservation <strong>of</strong> ecological characteristics <strong>of</strong> wetlands. Another significant
aspect <strong>of</strong> the convention is that it is the only international natural conservation convention devoted
to a specific ecosystem. As <strong>of</strong> March 2011, 160 countries over the world have parted in the
convention. Across the parting countries, 1919 wetlands <strong>of</strong> a total size <strong>of</strong> 187.054.624 hectares
have been declared <strong>Ramsar</strong> <strong>Sites</strong>. <strong>Turkey</strong> has signed the convention in 1994, 15 years after it
came into force, and in the 15 years since (1994 to 2009) declared 13 wetlands covering a total <strong>of</strong>
179.898 hectares to be wetlands <strong>of</strong> international significance and had them covered by the
convention. Countries parting in the <strong>Ramsar</strong> <strong>Convention</strong> make three major commitments: 1- To
determine their wetlands <strong>of</strong> international importance for inclusion in the <strong>Ramsar</strong> List and provide
their efficient management 2- Work towards the wise use <strong>of</strong> their wetlands through spatial plans <strong>of</strong>
national scale, appropriate policy and regulation making, spatial management and public
consciousness raising 3- To cooperate internationally concernin cross border and shared wetlands
and shared species. With these commitments, parting countries actually accept to sustain the
ecological functions <strong>of</strong>, develop and hand to next generations their wetlands for their accepted
criteria- taking into account the scientific, cultural, economic and recreational value they hold.
These are significant commitments for sure and remind that conservation sites should be evaluated
not only at a national level but also at a regional or even international level. For instance, the Gediz
ian pelican (Pelecanus crispus) which is endangered all
around the world breeds are <strong>Ramsar</strong> sites that matter not only for our nation but also for the world
for the protection <strong>of</strong> this rare species, demonstrating that <strong>Ramsar</strong> <strong>Sites</strong> stand with gloal
significance.
When we look closely at the 13 <strong>Ramsar</strong> <strong>Sites</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Turkey</strong>, threats over habitats are more apparent
than direct threats concerning species;; industrial and residential waste causing excessive pollution
in lakes and rivers, decline in water levels and expansion <strong>of</strong> man made areas due to irregular
urbanization and the encircling <strong>of</strong> human activities around wilderness sites stand amoung the most
important issues we face. Obviously more than 13 sites in our country deserve to be <strong>Ramsar</strong> sites.
We nature protectionists, expect and demand the Ministry <strong>of</strong> Environment and Forestry which is the
institution following and applying the aforementioned convention to take <strong>Ramsar</strong> <strong>Sites</strong> forwards in
quality and quantity.
rce which will be beneficial to a wide
makers. We aspire it to be favorable for nature protection studies in our country.
March 2011, Ankara
iv