Island wetlands of Turkey

Located on Balık Island (Karaada), at 6 km distance on the north-east of Ayvalık, Balik Island Pond is a small permanent brackish pond. No human activity occurs in the island, however, solid waste washed by the sea is a pollutant both for the soil and water. The island is an important breeding site for yellow-legged gulls and around the wetland 250-500 pairs was observed during the field survey. Garrigues of Eastern Mediterranean (5340) is the dominant habitat type recorded in the catchment area. Original habitats are irreversibly changed due to grazing and the dominant habitat type is Soft substrata without vegetation (119A). Nests of yellow-legged gulls were observed during the field survey on the island and in the catchment area.