Geographical observations in Efteni Lake (Düzce - Turkey) wetlands and its vicinity

Abstract

Efteni Lake is situated in southwest of Düzce Plain with 10 km distance to Düzce city center. The lake of 814 hectare area which could be used for boat fishing and transporting round timbers 50 years ago was dried and reduced down to 25 hectares area as a result of the demands from the local public and the administrators for purposes of agriculture and animal breeding. Efteni Lake which was once an important accommodation and nourishment spot on the route of migration hosting about 129 migratory bird types has lost this characteristic to a great extent. As a result of these negative developments, Efteni Lake and its vicinity was declared as Wildlife Development and Wetland Area in 2005. The lake area and its vicinity is a candidate to become a center of attraction for ecotourists with its natural features, location and ease of transportation. The fundamental purpose of this study is to present the natural environmental properties and biogeographical characteristics of Efteni Lake Wetlands and to provide suggestions to the problems identified in the study. With this aim, document reviews, field trips and interviews with the local public and authorities were undertaken and problems regarding pollution, landscape and publicity were identified. The results section of the study presents some suggestions regarding the solution of the identified problems