Determination of the Ornithological Potential and Coastal Waterbirds Density Distributions of Istanbul Terkos (Durusu) Lake Using Geographical Information Systems (GIS)

This study was carried out in Lake Terkos (Durusu). The aim of the study is to reveal the ornithological potential of the area using Geographic Information Systems (GIS). As a result of the study carried out between 2015 and 2018, 198 species belonging to 51 families consisting of 19 Ordo were identified. Line transects and Point counts were used to observe species, the number of the individual and population density. It was determined that 56 of these species had the "Certain" and "Probable" code for breeding. Of the 56 bird species, 31 were detected as certainly while 25 re probable breeding species. According to the immigration status of the area, it was observed that 32 (16.2%) were seen in winter only, Winter Visitor (WV) and 55 (27.8%) were using the area during spring and autumn migration season, Transit Migrant (TM), 38 (19.2%) were constantly seen in the field Residant (R) and 73 (36.9%) were seen in summer only in the area, Summer Visitor (SV) status. In addition, according to IUCN threat categories, 183 of species (92.4%) were classified as Least Concern (LC), 7 (3.5%) were classified as Near Threatened (NT), 6 (3.0%) were classified as Vulnerable (VU), 1 (0.5%) was classified as Endangered (EN) and 1 (0.5%) species were not included in the coverage. It was determined that 74 coastal and waterbirds preferred habitats such as reeds, swamps, woodlands, meadows, open water surface and agricultural land. It has been observed that coastal and water birds preferred mostly grassland and reeds to breed, and open water surface to feed. It has been detected that the study area was under intense human pressures such as hunting, irregular settlement, habitat destruction.