KAYSERİ-SULTAN SAZLIĞI SULAK ALANI HAVZASININ SU KAYNAKLARI POTANSİYELİNİN BELİRLENMESİ VE İKLİM DEĞİŞİKLİĞİNİN ETKİLERİNİN İNCELENMESİ

Abstract

This study aims to assess the water resource potential of the Sultansazlığı Wetland Basin, located in Kayseri, Türkiye, and to investigate the impacts of climate change on this fragile ecosystem. Classified as a National Park and RAMSAR site, the wetland plays a crucial role in sustaining biodiversity, serving as a strategic stopover for migratory birds, and maintaining ecological balance. However, increasing pressures on water resources and climate variability have led to significant degradation in the ecosystem.

In this context, the hydrogeological structure of the Sultansazlığı Basin was comprehensively examined, and hydrological and hydrogeological budget analyses were conducted to evaluate temporal changes in water resources. Six distinct groundwater systems within the basin were identified to understand the hydrological cycle, and climate change projections were utilized to estimate future variations in water availability.

The methodology involved hydrological modeling based on meteorological and hydrogeological data, highlighting differences between wet and dry periods. Furthermore, the study assessed the impact of water balance changes on the wetland ecosystem and identified key threats to its sustainability.

The findings underscore the urgent need for continuous monitoring of water resources and the implementation of a sustainable water management plan. Hydrological budget analyses indicate a declining trend in water resources feeding the Sultansazlığı Wetland, emphasizing the necessity of initiative-taking measures to mitigate the risk of water scarcity in the future.