An Analysis on the Ecological Consequences of Changes in the Land Cover Patterns of Doğubayazıt Marshes (Ağrı-Turkey)

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In this study, an ecological evaluation was made on the effects of changes in the land cover patterns of Doğubayazıt Marshes. Although there has not been a significant increase in the drought trend, there have been significant changes in the hydrographic structure of the Doğubayazıt Marshes in recent years due to the insufficient of precipitations. Depth and lake mirror surface areas of Saz Gölü and Gölyüzü lakes decreased. Reeds, grassland areas and settlement areas on the base land have grown. As a matter of fact, according to the results of office and field studies, the pasture areas have shrunk by 12.02%, the reeds and vegetation areas by 5.18%, and the lake surface by 4.74% in the last 40 years. In the same period, while the settlement areas increased by 15.28%, the swamp area increased by 1.68% and the lands with sand and bare surfaces increased by 4.98%. According to these data, the land cover patterns classes that narrowed the most were lake, pasture, reed and vegetation areas. While the lake waters were replaced by reeds and swamps, pastures and vegetation areas were started to be evaluated as settlement areas. As a matter of fact, it is a big problem that the city of Doğubayazıt, located in the south of the reed bed, has grown by almost 15 times in the last 40 years and has become an important pressure factor on the reed beds. Bird species composition in the reeds was also affected by these changes, and it was observed that some shore birds and ducks did not use the reeds due to the shrinking lake mirror. Wetlands, which provide a living environment for living things, create underground water reserves, stabilize the climate of the region, even if it is limited, should be evaluated with an understanding that prioritizes protection. For this, planners need to consider ecological and economic decisions in integrity.

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Doğubayazıt Marshes , Land Cover Pattern Change , Biodiversity , Wetland , Ornithofauna

eastern geographical review

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eastern geographical review