Edremit-Dalyan Wetlands Preservation and Water Research Institute Project

While Turkey has one of the largest percentages of wetlands in the world and 70 distinct wetland sites, these areas are in danger of shrinking or disappearing altogether. The Edremit-Dalyan coastal wetlands area is one such endangered area. As the community’s tourism industry and housing needs grow, the wetlands are being filled in on all sides for new construction. Mining activities, used geothermal waters, and wastewater from olive mills are polluting the surrounding waters. The larger ecosystem as a whole is being threatened by these factors.

Threats

Wetlands are a valuable part of every ecosystem and the Edremit-Dalyan wetlands are no different. They are home to hundreds of species of birds, fish, amphibians, mammals, and insects. Some of these species live only in the wetlands, meaning the preservation of wetland areas is critical to their survival. Roughly 80& of birds and 95% of commercially important fish are dependent on wetlands as either shelter or a source of food. In addition, a number of species make the wetlands their primary breeding and nesting grounds, making the continued survival of wildlife tied directly to the fortunes of wetlands.

Wetlands are also a major contributor to the upkeep of water quality. Studies have shown that wetlands can remove 70 to 90 percent of nitrates from water,

Importance of Wetlands

Water Settling and Precipitation

Terraces for Aeration SubsurfaceFiltration

Heavy Metal Removal Pathogen Removal and Water Intake and Screening

Wa ste Water In

including those used in Edremit’s olive groves and other agriculture. A number of plants, insects, and fish living in many wetlands make this filtering process even more efficient by absorbing other common contaminants. Wetlands are also adept at trapping sediment, which not only prevents the spread of phosphorous mingled in with the sediment, but also eases erosion and sedimentation problems in rivers and other bodies of water.

Wetlands retain a large amount of water, which is useful in preventing flooding during storm surges or especially rainy seasons. Floodwaters can be reduced by 80% in areas with wetlands. This same sequestering of water is also responsible for significant groundwater recharging. After it has filtered through the wetlands,

The bioremediation process involves filtering waste water through stages of wetlands.

Nutrient RemovalWater Quality Sublication and Control

Clean WaterImpoundment

Send Filter for Final Polishing

Aeration and Biological

Fresh Water Out

clean water refills underground aquifers, becoming available for use once more.

Currently, Edremit’s water treatment facility is working at capacity, yet agriculture and mining runoff along with used geothermal waters from local hotels are still sometimes being drained through a nearby canal into the sea, causing unpleasant sight and odor in the area. Filtering this water through the wetlands using a process of bioremediation allows greater capacity at the treatment plant for Edremit’s growing population and tourism industry. It also provides a reserve of clean, fresh water that can be reused by the community and as irrigation at local farms.

The Edremit-Dalyan wetlands are an important part of the ecosystem, but they can be much more than a 600-hectare expanse of otherwise unusable land in the middle of an expanding community. By making a few simple additions to the area, it can be turned into a beautiful space that can be enjoyed by residents and tourists alike.

By building a series of walking paths and platforms that sit atop the wetlands, visitors will be able to escape into a piece of nature right in their own backyards. While being unobtrusive and non-harmful to the existing ecosystem, the path system will allow guests to get up close and personal with hundreds of species of animals and insects as well as explore the local plant life. Shelters can also be built among the walking paths to create community spaces that encourage interaction and discussion. It is also possible that increased water flow for filtration purposes will make water deep enough for water sports like fishing. Other fitness activities like biking and running will be possible on the paths. This addition alone will improve the community functioning of the space beyond its natural benefits.

Other additions that can increase the aesthetic beauty and practical use of the wetlands include tulip farming and building greenhouses powered by the region’s thermal waters. This will provide colorful flowers for visitors to enjoy while walking the paths as well as produce to sell to the community.

Community Uses

The ultimate goal for the Edremit-Dalyan wetlands is the construction of a water research institute. This will serve as a center for the new walking paths and shelters in the wetlands. It will be the ultimate community gathering point and benefit the entire region through its sustainable design and educational exhibits.

Water Research Institute

TourismThe Edremit area is already a popular tourist destination, with many hotels not far from these very wetlands. The hotel industry has already discussed filling in the wetlands for more building room. However, building more hotels does not benefit the tourism industry of the region when it destroys something that can be a destination for visitors from around the world.

The addition of community walking paths alone makes the area into a wetland park that tourists can enjoy. The possibility of water sports and fitness activities only increases the probability of tourists visiting. By building the water research facility, the wetlands have another attraction for tourists to engage with.

Eco-tourism is already a draw in the area, with secluded hotels, scenic hikes, and hunting retreats gaining in popularity. The water research institute and wetlands park will only add to the region’s eco-tourism industry. Families looking for educational and interactive destinations as well as nature-lovers will be interested in visiting the facility. It will also bring these visitors out from nearby mountainous and forested areas and closer to many of the local businesses. When tourists are in the area to visit the wetlands, they will eat, shop, and enjoy the other attractions nearby, only increasing economic growth opportunities.

Research

Several universities and organizations in the area are already interested in studying the Edremit-Dalyan wetlands. The construction of the water research facility will serve as a base for these researchers to conduct their work. Partners from Balikesir University, Dokuz Eylul University, Middle East Technical University, and the Turkish Bird Research Society are eager to begin work in the wetlands.

Studies have already begun on the chemical characteristics of the water in the wetlands conducted by Dokuz Eylul University’s geological engineering department. Further research into water quality, plant life, insects and animals, and sustainable energy could all be made possible by the development of a water research facility and floating paths and platforms in the wetlands.

One important piece of the design and construction of the research facility will be its impact on the wetlands it hopes to help protect. By making the building environmentally friendly, energy efficient, and sustainable, the water research institute can be an example of how people can build beautiful structures that coexist with nature.

The design of the building will be critical in creating long-term sustainability. By designing the interior with few corridors and large open spaces, heating and cooling needs are significantly reduced. Large windows and roof top windows allow plenty of natural light into the building, reducing electricity needs and promoting the health and wellness of visitors and employees. Using concrete and foam insulation for the structure retains hot and cool air better as well as

Sustainability

having less environmental impact than typical wooden structures. A green roof made of local vegetation helps control storm waters as well as filtering rainwater. It can also keep the building cooler and provide a home for birds and insects while being beautiful to look at.

Energy efficiency is also key to being an environmentally friendly fixture. Solar and wind power can be generated with the addition of solar panels and windmills to the site. These can produce enough clean energy to power the building potentially other buildings in the area. Besides design elements, other ways to reduce energy needs for the building include using solar power to heat water the building will use and the implementation of a geothermal pump to move heat in and out of the building.

The main feature of the water research institute will be a series of educational exhibits to inform visitors about the importance of wetlands, the local ecosystem, energy efficiency, sustainability, and the research being done by local universities.

These exhibits will provide children, families, and other visitors with the opportunity to learn about the wetlands area that has been sitting unused in the middle of their city. Hands on, interactive exhibits will be key to maximizing visitors’ learning experience and increasing their understanding of the importance of wetlands and natural ecosystems everywhere.

A number of primary schools, including nearby Akçay Yunus Emre primary school, could also use the water research institute as a dedicated wetlands learning center. The science education of these young learners could be greatly enhanced with the opportunity to experience hands on learning. Instilling an appreciation of nature and the wetlands ecosystem at an early age is critical to the long-term preservation of these wetlands.

Education

EconomyAny increase in tourism to the area will improve the local economy. Visitors to the wetlands and the water research institute will be in the area eating and shopping in nearby restaurants and shops. There will also be an increase in jobs in the region to staff the water research institute, maintain the new wetlands paths, and service increased tourism to the area.

Bordering property values will increase as the wetlands are turned into a beautiful and useful park and water research institute. Rather than looking out on more hotels and housing complexes, they will overlook a natural space benefitting their entire community.

Around the world, there are examples of sustainable ways people are using wetlands and other natural spaces to benefit and educate the communities they serve. The Edremit Water Research Institute will borrow the best ideas from the international examples and serve as a beacon of sustainable community education for all of Eurasia.

Houtan Park, Shanghai China

Shanghai’s Houtan Park is centered on constructed wetlands, which use local plants and a series of cascades to remove contaminants from the water. This water filtration system saves money over traditional methods and produces clean potable water. Throughout the park are walking paths and terraces allowing visitors to get close to nature without disturbing it. These spaces allow for community gatherings and for visitors to be active. The water is deep enough in many parts of the wetlands for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.

Worldwide Examples

Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Chaska Minnesota USA

The Landscape Arboretum is a large natural area featuring local plant life in attractive exhibits. A large path system allows visitors to explore nature on their own. The Arboretum is publicly funded and maintained by researchers at the local university. Besides education, it has become a popular community destination with a restaurant, outdoor movie nights, holiday parties, live music, cooking classes, and more. The Arboretum is also a frequent wedding destination because of its beauty.

Cascade Meadow Wetlands & Environmental Science Center, Rochester Minnesota USA

Cascade Meadow is an excellent example of a sustainable research facility providing educational exhibits in a wetlands setting. The facility is built in an environmentally friendly manner and is powered entirely by solar and wind energy. The space is aesthetically pleasing and can be rented out for community events. The highly interactive educational exhibits inside are about the wetlands, water conservation, and energy efficiency. Outdoors, walking paths and scenic outlooks allow visitors to experience the plant life and wildlife of the wetlands area.

Hong Kong Wetland Park, Hong Kong China

The Hong Kong Wetland Park is situated on a created wetland reserve and features a number of boardwalks allowing visitors to see different habitats. A large visitor center has exhibition galleries about local flora and fauna, a theater, a shop, and an indoor play area for children.

Utah State University Wetland Discovery Point, Kaysville Utah USA

Part of the university’s botanical center, Wetland Discovery Point is a sustainably designed building with exhibits on energy conservation, wetland ecology, water quality, and wildlife biology. Over 4,000 primary school children visit the site each year to learn about the wetlands.

Many researchers, professors, and others from the Edremit community and beyond are already involved in the preservation of the wetlands and the development of the water research institute.

Notable partners include:Prof. Dr. Recep EfeDoç. Dr. Abdullah SoykanYrd. Doç. Dr. isa CürebalYrd. Doç. Dr. Süleyman SönmezDepartment of Geography, Balikesir University, Balikesir Turkey

Dr. Melis SomayGeological Engineering Department, Dokuz Eylul University, Izmir Turkey

Prof. Dr. Meryem Beklio˘gluDepartment of Biology, Middle East Technical University, Ankara Turkey

Osman Erdem, PresidentBird Research Association, Ankara Turkey

Hatice Bilgic, Project Coordinator

If you would like to contribute to the preservation of the Edremit wetlands and the development of a water research institute that benefits the larger community, become a partner in the project, or are just interested in finding out more, contact contact the project coordinator at dalyansulakalanprojesi@gmail.com. Remember, you can create a long living sustainable environment that your community that can be proud to be part of today and tomorrow.

Get Involved