Ramsar Sites of Turkey - Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

Evaluation
While the loss <strong>of</strong> wetlands on a global level is not known accurately, it is established in several
world scale researches that more than 50% <strong>of</strong> wetlands around the world have been lost. Whereas
in Europe this ratio is estimated to be more than 90%. Wetlands have been ecosystems <strong>of</strong> settling
value and use to humans since antiquity for their value and functions. Population rise, urbanization,
food demand led to an increase <strong>of</strong> drainage especially in the USA and Europe after the 19th
century, while the threats concerning wetlands in different areas have increasingly grown. In light
<strong>of</strong> these developments, the significance <strong>of</strong> wetlands have become noticed and studies concerning
wetland conservation have increased and are increasing. Ie. Today the fact that 160 countries part
in the <strong>Ramsar</strong> <strong>Convention</strong> shows that the conservation <strong>of</strong> wetlands is <strong>of</strong> special significance.
Innumerable organizations are paying effort for the conservation <strong>of</strong> wetlands around the world.
<strong>Turkey</strong> parted in the <strong>Ramsar</strong> <strong>Convention</strong> in 1994 and by declaring 13 <strong>Ramsar</strong> <strong>Sites</strong>, undertook the
conservation <strong>of</strong> 179.898 hectares within its borders, but took the responsibility to protect not only
<strong>Ramsar</strong> <strong>Sites</strong> but all wetlands on its land. The rise <strong>of</strong> significance attributed to wetlands have found
its place in <strong>Turkey</strong> along with the world and many practices have been carried regarding wetlands.
A look at studies present
<strong>Ramsar</strong> <strong>Sites</strong> completed in 2010, an emphasis on the effects <strong>of</strong> agriculture on wetlands is seen,
while interventions to water regime, pollution from residential and industrial waste, the
introduction <strong>of</strong> foreign fish species into wetland systems, excessive hunting are emphasized as
become a critical problem. The fact that threats concerning wetlands have remained the same from
the past to today indicates that efforts towards the wise use <strong>of</strong> wetlands and participatory planning
persist as grave issues.
<strong>Turkey</strong> has taken big steps towards the preperation and implementation <strong>of</strong> management plans for
wetlands. However, as is with other planning practices, participatory wetland management
planning is a long span process. It takes a long while and a lot <strong>of</strong> effort for a management plan to
be conceived in the same manner and adopted by all parties, those related to the area as much as
institutions. The wetland management plans implemented in <strong>Turkey</strong> so far shed light as a
foundation to the making <strong>of</strong> more efficient and successful plans in the future.
Our interviews have shown that the generally perceived benefits <strong>of</strong> management plans contributed
to awareness regarding the function and value <strong>of</strong> wetlands and supported the conservation <strong>of</strong> this
value. It was told that they facilitate the implementation <strong>of</strong> regulations, serve as a guide to the
area, define precautions against pollution and support further practices.
Wetland management plans support adherence with local, national and international plans and
display factors that affect the area or may affect in the future. While defining long and short term
goals related to the area with different parties, defines the path that needs to be taken and
facilitates the resolving/managing <strong>of</strong> conflicts over the area with this information. However, the
benefits <strong>of</strong> wetland management plans are not limited to this;; reaching defined goals for the area
clearly displays the matters that need managing and defines the finance or labour necessary to
carry this, making it easier to provide these with the contribution <strong>of</strong> different parties. As our
interviewees asserted, wetland management plans make the importance <strong>of</strong> wetlands known to a
wider public, explain why precautions are taken, strengthen communicitaion with the parties and
reinforce trust with their transparent nature.
The experience <strong>of</strong> making and implementing wetland management plans in our country stand as a
learning process. The wetland management plan preparation processes conducted until now,
especially the experience <strong>of</strong> area managers, provide lessons that can be useful in many areas for
the making <strong>of</strong> better plans. En example to these lessons is the planning process which contributed
to the recognition and apprehension <strong>of</strong> the area to a much better level. In some areas the
importance <strong>of</strong> training on wetland management planning for the success <strong>of</strong> the planning process is
emphasized. Practice towards an increase in participation has shown important value for the
existing situation to be better known and to collect support. En emphasis has been put on the
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