Plant life and Vegetation
More than ten thousand species of plants can be observed in the dam area, of which a third are endemic to the region. The floral diversity is accredited to variation in climate, altitude, and habitat. The Ilisu dam project area will effect three eco-regions which are the North-Mesopotamian Steppe, Mardin Mountain Steppe, and Eastern Anti-Taurus Mountain region. In the latter two regions the vegetation is largely undisturbed whereas the vegetation in the North-Mesopotamian Steppe is largely disturbed by cattle grazing.
In the Hasankeyf area alone, numerous endemic plants can be found due to the unique topography of the region. There is cause for concern in the region as nine species of plants are classified as vulnerable in the Tigris floodplain, and one endemic plant, Cicer echinosperum, in between the Batman and Botan rivers. The forested region in East Anatolia are the oak shrublands, which are prone to flooding at lower elevations.
In the Hasankeyf area alone, numerous endemic plants can be found due to the unique topography of the region. There is cause for concern in the region as nine species of plants are classified as vulnerable in the Tigris floodplain, and one endemic plant, Cicer echinosperum, in between the Batman and Botan rivers. The forested region in East Anatolia are the oak shrublands, which are prone to flooding at lower elevations.
Impacts and proposed mitigation
A study performed by WWF-Turkey confirmed that three important plant regions exist in the at risk areas. However, the EIA concluded that the dam will not present any risks for these regions vegetation wise. No reason was given as to why the dam itself posed no risk. The vegetation in the area in the Tigris River region in 2011 has been compromised however.
In terms of forestry, the EIA recognizes that there is extremely little forest of commercial value left in the area. However, there are small areas of gallery forest composed primarily of mature poplar trees next to the rivers. The EIA recognizes that these small forest areas will be flooded and proposes that the local people cut them down. It also states that forests above 800 metres will be safe from the effects of flooding. In terms of protecting biological diversity the EIA proposes that the land outside of the reservoir along the periphery will be designated “Natural Reserve Areas” or “Specifically Protected Areas”. These areas would be reforested and would be selected based on baseline studies of rare vegetation, floral diversity. Islands will occur within the reservoir as a result of the flooding, and will also be used for this purpose. |
critique
The EIA fails to name the parties that will be involved in mitigation and monitoring. They fail to mention which areas around the reservoir will be made “Natural Reserve Areas” as they do not have baseline data for these areas, a task which should have been completed before the decision to begin the project took place. These areas are supposed to undergo intensive reforestation programs, including monitoring for erosion, wood production and aesthetic changes which will be conducted by the DSI or State Hydraulic Works. There are no details of how they will accomplish this task. In 2011 the vegetation in the area in the Tigris River region was still been shown to be degraded despite reforestation efforts.
In terms of the naturally appearing islands within the reservoir, the Ministry of Environment is responsible for creating a specific management plan. However, they had not compiled a detailed mode of action at the time of the EIA. Furthermore these areas will be inaccessible to most of the public, which reduces their ability to harvest wood or collect the rare plants which will grow there.
In terms of the naturally appearing islands within the reservoir, the Ministry of Environment is responsible for creating a specific management plan. However, they had not compiled a detailed mode of action at the time of the EIA. Furthermore these areas will be inaccessible to most of the public, which reduces their ability to harvest wood or collect the rare plants which will grow there.