Ecogeomorphological Investigation of Anthropogenic Changes in the Kızılırmak River Mouth, Türkiye

This study was prepared to investigate the ecogeomorphological aspects of the Kızılırmak mouth and its immediate environs, which have been seriously subjected to anthropogenic pressures in recent years. Situated in the center of Turkey's most significant wetland, the Kızılırmak delta, is the research area. In this study, remote sensing methods and field observations were used together, and the collected data were interpreted with an interdisciplinary approach by experts in geomorphology, ornithology, ichthyology, botany, physical geography, and environmental engineering. The Altınkaya and Derbent dams built on the Kızılırmak river negatively affected the sediment budget of the delta. Significant part of the dried floodplains was turned into agricultural field. Later, the stream was taken into an artificial canal. The former bed parts outside the canal turned into lakes and swamps. For this reason, between 1990 and 2021, the coastline was retreated by 500 m, 75.1 ha of wetland were converted into agricultural land and 18.1 ha of new lake area was created. The biological and hydrological features of the study region changed as a result of these changes; habitats were fragmented, animal breeding and nesting grounds were damaged, and some animal populations tended to decline. Despite this, many artificial lakes still have wetland characteristics and can be preserved as a suitable habitat for many different plants and animals. In light of this study, it is advised that the current wetland management plan be carefully revised and implemented.