A comparison of management planning principles of wetland ecosystem (the Delta of Bendimahi) and mountain ecosystem (Mountain of Ispiriz) in the Van Lake Basin/Turkey

Abstract

Van Lake Basin which is an important and different part of East Anatolia Region possesses important biological richness due to its geological, climatic, geographical and topographical varieties. In the region, Van Lake which is located between high mountains has led to the formation of a different climate which has resulted in different vegetation and formation of important wetlands. In the basin lies Ispiriz Mountain which is one of the important natural fields and Delta of Bendimahi which is an important part of the basin. Although the flora of Ispiriz Mountain has not been thoroughly studied, 35 of the plants which have been recorded from the area are classified as endemic, whilst 50 of them have been classified as rare plants. 15 of endemic plants have been collected from Ispriz Mountain and introduced to the world. 9 of these plants are endemic plants which have been recorded from a narrow area of Ispiriz Mountain. In the Delta of Bendimahi, there are 188 bird species. 68 of these birds are local, 80 of them migrant, 20 of them winter visitor, 15 of them transit migrant and 2 of them are determined to be coincidental. In this study, together with the socio-economic structure of Delta of Bendimahi which is wetland ecosystem and Mountain of Ispiriz which is mountain ecosystem, the existing relations and problems between natural resources have been determined. According to the gathered information, basic principles of management planning of both regions have been determined. In the presentation, the characteristics of both regions and similarities and differences between the two regions would be touched upon in terms of management of natural resources. It has been determined that the security and economical problems of the region have caused different difficulties in terms of studies which have aimed to determine natural resources in both ecosystems.