Anatolian Freshwater - A Global Ecoregion
Important habitat for migrating waterbirds
Snapshot: Ecoregion 195
Size:
500,000 sq. km (193,000 sq. miles)
Habitat type:
Xeric Basins
Western Asia: on the Eastern Mediterranean in Syria and Turkey
Conservation Status:
Critical/Endangered
Quiz Time!
Is it true that dams can sometimes cause earthquakes?
Answer:
Dams can trigger earthquakes due to an effect known as 'reservoir induced seismicity'. This is where the weight of water combined with water seeping deep into the pores of the underlying rock strata changes the area's response to existing stresses.
About the Area
As compared to surrounding drier areas, the Anatolian freshwater ecoregion supports diverse freshwater habitats that include both running-water and lake environments. One of the largest rivers in the ecoregion, the Ceyhan, starts in the nearby Toros Mountains and flows for hundreds of miles before pouring into the Mediterranean.
This region historically supported about 20 species and 10 subspecies of endemic fish, many with very local distributions. Also, the lakes here are an important habitat for migrating waterbirds.Local Species
A number of endemic fish species within the ecoregion that are of conservation concern include the Alburnus akili, two subspecies of Capoeta capoeta, Chondrostoma holmwoodii, Leucalburnus kosswigi, Phoxinellus anatolicus, Phoxinellus egridiri, and Aphanius burduricus.
Waterbirds that occur in abundance include the Great bustard (Otis tarda), Ruddy shellduck (Tadorna ferrugininea), and Common crane (Grus grus).
Threats
Habitat loss, excessive water diversions, pollution from industry, agriculture, and domestic sources, overfishing, draining of wetlands for malarial control, dams, and introduced species (particularly Zander - Stizostedion lucioperca) are the principle threats to this ecoregion.
Resources
• NationalGeographic.com
