Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Lakes of the Eastern Mediterranean and Balkans: Biodiversity, Ecosystem Services, and Conservation Strategies, Springer Nature, ss.23-90, 2025
The Mediterranean region is recognised as a global biodiversity hotspot, with Türkiye playing a key role in the conservation of freshwater ecosystems. This chapter provides a comprehensive assessment of the ecological status, prevailing threats and conservation priorities for the important freshwater Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) in the Mediterranean region of Türkiye, with a particular focus on ten ecologically significant lakes. These lakes serve as critical habitats for endemic and globally threatened fish species, but are increasingly affected by anthropogenic pressures, including habitat degradation, pollution, invasive species and unsustainable water management practices. Climate projections based on Shared Socioeconomic Pathways scenarios indicate an increased risk of drought, reduced precipitation and rising temperatures, exacerbating the vulnerability of aquatic biodiversity. Long-term analyses of lake surface dynamics, using remote sensing and historical datasets, reveal significant declines due to excessive water abstraction and hydrological alterations. The results highlight the urgent need for integrated conservation strategies, strengthened water governance and adaptive management approaches to mitigate these threats and safeguard the ecological integrity of Türkiye’s Mediterranean freshwater KBAs.