Ramsar Sites of Turkey - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

clay, silt, sand and grav
deposited, as well as coastal sands and sand dunes. Elevations are 0-5 m and slope is 15
percent at the most in the delta. The waves the sand mounds create reach the sea,
though the morphological structure varies within the region.
BIOLOGICAL ASPECTS
Habitats
halophytic steppes, beaches, sand dunes, agricultural areas and urban centers. There are
two large lakes in the site. These are Paradeniz Lagoon that is connected to the sea and
the east <strong>of</strong> Paradeniz are also within the delta. There are numerous seasonal small lakes
within the site. Salinity values <strong>of</strong> the lakes change in line with the tide. There is an area
has been flowing in its current bed, the edge <strong>of</strong> this fine sand area has started to erode
away.
WILDLIFE
Flora
The delta supports a rich array <strong>of</strong> plants thanks to the existence <strong>of</strong> habitats in varying
ecological characteristics. At two meters <strong>of</strong> altitude from sea level, natural plant cover in
iterranean maquis formations and intensive sand dune plants
as well as halophyte steppes. Pinus brutia, also known as Turkish pine, is dominant in
these forests. The sand dune system supports common myrtle, oleander, salix,
restharrow, thorny burnet, south
where freshwater dominates, is covered with bulrush (Typha sp.), weawer reed and reed
(Phragmites sp.). Among reed beds and salty steppes or plant cover dominating the sand
dunes, stretch a zone <strong>of</strong> sea clubrush, shrubs, salt cedars (Tamarix smyrnensis), bog
bulrush (Scirpus sp.) and common bulrush (Juncus sp.). The surrounding saltwater areas
<strong>of</strong> Paradeniz Lagoon supports sparse reed beds, glasswort (Salicornia sp.) and spiral
ditchgrass (Ruppia cirrhosa). Besides the rich plant cover, the sand system also supports
are covered with low and sloping halophytes. Eight endemic plant species out <strong>of</strong> 442
plant species in total have
Among these are Aristolochia krausei, Bellevalia modesta, Beta adanenesis, Beta trojana,
Bromus psammophilus ve Stachys pseudopinardii, which are endemic to <strong>Turkey</strong> and most
<strong>of</strong> which are sand dune plants.
Fish
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