Threats to Burdur Lake ecosystem, Turkey and its waterbirds, particularly the white-headed duck Oxyura leucocephala

Abstract

Burdur Lake, a closed-basin saline lake in south-west Anatolia, Turkey, is internationally important for its wintering waterbirds. It is the most important wintering site in the world for the white-headed duck Oxyura leucocephala, a globally threatened species. It has also held internationally important numbers of 10 other waterbird species. The lake is threatened by the construction of an industrial complex and airport on the northern shore. Falling water levels (from construction of upstream dams), sedimentation (from catchment erosion), organic pollution (from food processing and sewage) and inorganic effluent (from a sulphur mine) represent long-term threats to the lake system. Illegal hunting from the shore has a serious impact upon white-headed ducks, which concentrate close inshore and show little escape response in the presence of hunters. White-headed duck numbers have fluctuated considerably since 1967 with a peak (incomplete) count of 10,927 in February 1991. By January 1995, numbers had declined to 2805. Numbers of black-necked grebe Podiceps nigricollis, white-fronted goose Anser albifrons and tufted duck Aythya fuligula have declined. Numbers of large gulls of the Larus argentatus group which prey upon white-headed duck have increased, possibly due to pollution. For 10 of 16 waterbird species regularly observed at the site, highest numbers were recorded before 1974. Recommendations for the conservation of the lake are presented.