Wet Grassland restoration in the Kızılırmak Delta, Turkey
Organization: Ornithological Research Centre (ORC)
Award Amount: €34 000
Project Type: PROZHUM Small Project
Duration: January 2024 – December 2026
Project Contact: Kiraz Erciyas Yavuz, erciyaskiraz@yahoo.com
Keywords: restoration; invasive species; grazing
Aerial view of Kızılırmak Delta
Summary
Kızılırmak Delta is among the most protected natural sites in Turkey and has historically been a breeding ground for many grassland breeding bird species, including the Northern Lapwings (Vanellus vanellus). Over time, illegal construction of summer houses occurred along the coast, destroying the natural meadow habitat and shifting the short vegetation to land dominated by dense Juncus reeds that restrict the movement of both people and animals. Bird populations have attempted to select rice fields as breeding habitats but are impacted by agricultural activities, intensive grazing, and predation.
However, in 2016, the summer houses were demolished, providing an opportunity to restore the degraded lands. This project aims to restore 20 hectares of the area through a sustainable grazing approach to remove the dense Juncus communities and create and maintain essential and increasingly rare grassland area. By working with the Kızılırmak Delta and Bird Sanctuary Area, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change, the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, and local animal breeders, this effort will serve as a pilot for similar restoration approaches.
Objectives
- Create new grassland area (20 ha) by clearing dominant plant community to provide habitat for wildlife
- Provide managed sustainable grazing area for buffaloes
Heavy machinery clearing juncus in Kızılırmak Delta (Photo: Kiraz Erciyas Yavuz)
Resources
- Learn more about the PROZHUM project
Funding
Agence Française de Développement (AFD) implements France’s policy on international development and solidarity. Through its financing of NGOs and the public sector, as well as its research and publications, AFD supports and accelerates transitions towards a fairer, more resilient world. It also provides training in sustainable development (at AFD Campus) and other awareness-raising activities in France.