Impacts of Agricultural Practices on Seyfe Wetland Ecosystem

Abstract

Seyfe Lake is one of the most important wetlands of Turkey and it is classified among “first-class wetland areas” 
according to international criteria. The protection of the lake is assured at an international level after its inclusion in the 
Ramsar Agreement in 1994. Because of wrong water management practices and drought, Seyfe Lake has shrunk since 
2004 in terms of both the area and the length of duration as wetland. In 2006, the government started to grant agricultural 
subsidies for decreasing water usage in agricultural activities around the lake. Fifty-four agricultural enterprises in 
Seyfe, Gumuskumbet, Yazikinik and Eski Doganli villages, which are located around the Lake, were taken under the 
scope of the research. The data derived from the surveys conducted in these enterprises were assessed so that the 
impact of the agricultural activity in the region on the wetland is revealed. Irrigated farming activities in the region 
declined because of subsidies granted after 2006 and the wetland perception of producers in the region started to 
change towards a protective approach. Ninety-two point six percent of the producers leave space between parcels for 
sustaining natural life and 28.3% of the producers sow more seeds considering the birds living in the region. However, 
as these producers are not adequately informed about the use of fertilizers and pesticides, they adjust the amount they 
use according to the money available.