Characteristics of the region
REPTILES & AMPHIBIANS
The wildlife within the Tigris river had only been studied a few years prior to the EIA. The EIA recognizes that thirty-four species of reptiles were located along the Tigris basin, but their distribution maps were not established. Of these species, four are associated with the river itself, either being present within the river or along the bank. The soft shelled turtle is critically endangered and has also been found along the river. The other thirty species of reptile are on the drier steppe areas or on stony barren lands away from the river. Amphibians found in the Tigris catchment area number at four, and are all considered threatened. They include: Pelobates syrianus, Rana ridibunda, Hyala arborea and Bufo viridis. All of them use either wetlands, lakes and ponds, or trees in their life cycles, which are all impacted by the proposed Ilisu Dam.
The wildlife within the Tigris river had only been studied a few years prior to the EIA. The EIA recognizes that thirty-four species of reptiles were located along the Tigris basin, but their distribution maps were not established. Of these species, four are associated with the river itself, either being present within the river or along the bank. The soft shelled turtle is critically endangered and has also been found along the river. The other thirty species of reptile are on the drier steppe areas or on stony barren lands away from the river. Amphibians found in the Tigris catchment area number at four, and are all considered threatened. They include: Pelobates syrianus, Rana ridibunda, Hyala arborea and Bufo viridis. All of them use either wetlands, lakes and ponds, or trees in their life cycles, which are all impacted by the proposed Ilisu Dam.
BIRDS
The GAP region holds a total of three hundred and twenty four bird species, one hundred and ninety five of which are migratory. In the Tigris Basin itself there are two hundred and two species of birds, forty nine of which are Tigris key species. The Hasankeyf section of land between Botan and Geilkhan Gorge supports many birds as they are primarily undisturbed areas. The entirety of the Tigris river is extremely important for the migration of birds between Europe, Africa and Asia. In the GAP Biodiversity Research Project that took place in the Tigris Valley, three were categorized as vulnerable and five as near threatened. These include the Cinereous Bunting, the Pied Kingfisher, and the Bonelli's Eagle, all of which suffer from small fragmented areas of occupancy which led to a halving of their populations in less than a decade.
The GAP region holds a total of three hundred and twenty four bird species, one hundred and ninety five of which are migratory. In the Tigris Basin itself there are two hundred and two species of birds, forty nine of which are Tigris key species. The Hasankeyf section of land between Botan and Geilkhan Gorge supports many birds as they are primarily undisturbed areas. The entirety of the Tigris river is extremely important for the migration of birds between Europe, Africa and Asia. In the GAP Biodiversity Research Project that took place in the Tigris Valley, three were categorized as vulnerable and five as near threatened. These include the Cinereous Bunting, the Pied Kingfisher, and the Bonelli's Eagle, all of which suffer from small fragmented areas of occupancy which led to a halving of their populations in less than a decade.
FISH
In the Tigris River forty species of fish were caught by biologists from Dicle University. This number however may not represent the entire species count in the area. Certain species observed in the Tigris river were not caught in the study. It is unclear if the species are rare or have completely disappeared for the region. A species of migratory fish, Liza abu, has been recorded within the Tigris River. The presence of other dams around Turkey have caused this particular fish to become landlocked; adding another dam could further harm the life cycle of the fish.
One key concern recognized by the EIA, is the disturbance of spawning areas within the basin that will be affected by the dam. The spawning areas are as follows:
In the Tigris River forty species of fish were caught by biologists from Dicle University. This number however may not represent the entire species count in the area. Certain species observed in the Tigris river were not caught in the study. It is unclear if the species are rare or have completely disappeared for the region. A species of migratory fish, Liza abu, has been recorded within the Tigris River. The presence of other dams around Turkey have caused this particular fish to become landlocked; adding another dam could further harm the life cycle of the fish.
One key concern recognized by the EIA, is the disturbance of spawning areas within the basin that will be affected by the dam. The spawning areas are as follows:
MAMMALS
Mammals are less prominent in the Tigris region, only numbering at thirty seven species. Bats are of particular concern as their worldwide decline has also been noted. The different species within the region are listed below.
Mammals are less prominent in the Tigris region, only numbering at thirty seven species. Bats are of particular concern as their worldwide decline has also been noted. The different species within the region are listed below.
Impacts and Proposed Mitigation
FISH
The EIA notes that a number of species including: Albumoides bipunctatus, Barbus plebejus lacert, Barbus kosswigi, Barbus plebejus kosswigi, Barilus mezopotamicus, will see their numbers gradually decrease after the dam is impounded, due to flooding. The excess water will degrade their spawning grounds, and if gravel extraction is too great during the construction phase of the project the effects may be greater. The EIA states that some species of fish will disappear from the river if they do not find a suitable habitat, but do not mention which species those are. In terms of fisheries it was proposed that fish productivity will increase due to benthic organism density increase, yet spawning ground loss is not factored into fish loss.
For mitigation of fish species, a multi-species fish hatchery will be established. The species that will be established within the hatchery are: Barbus esocinus, Barbus rajonorum mystaceus, Bertinus subquincuncinatus, Capoeta capoeta umbli, Capoeta trutta, and Leuciscus cephalus
orientalis. Spawning grounds are to be protected and enhanced through “species specific improvement” measures that are not further elaborated.
MAMMALS, REPTILES & BIRDS
No impacts are determined for either reptiles or mammals thus no mitigation actions are proposed. For birds however, the EIA proposes that the naturally emerging islands become refuges for wild migratory birds. To support this, they cite one island in the Ataurk reservoir that supported a breeding population. They also conclude that no impacts will be made on the non breeding population, but the reason is unjustified. The only proposed monitoring program for terrestrial wildlife is on the islands themselves rather than the land surrounding the reservoir.
The EIA notes that a number of species including: Albumoides bipunctatus, Barbus plebejus lacert, Barbus kosswigi, Barbus plebejus kosswigi, Barilus mezopotamicus, will see their numbers gradually decrease after the dam is impounded, due to flooding. The excess water will degrade their spawning grounds, and if gravel extraction is too great during the construction phase of the project the effects may be greater. The EIA states that some species of fish will disappear from the river if they do not find a suitable habitat, but do not mention which species those are. In terms of fisheries it was proposed that fish productivity will increase due to benthic organism density increase, yet spawning ground loss is not factored into fish loss.
For mitigation of fish species, a multi-species fish hatchery will be established. The species that will be established within the hatchery are: Barbus esocinus, Barbus rajonorum mystaceus, Bertinus subquincuncinatus, Capoeta capoeta umbli, Capoeta trutta, and Leuciscus cephalus
orientalis. Spawning grounds are to be protected and enhanced through “species specific improvement” measures that are not further elaborated.
MAMMALS, REPTILES & BIRDS
No impacts are determined for either reptiles or mammals thus no mitigation actions are proposed. For birds however, the EIA proposes that the naturally emerging islands become refuges for wild migratory birds. To support this, they cite one island in the Ataurk reservoir that supported a breeding population. They also conclude that no impacts will be made on the non breeding population, but the reason is unjustified. The only proposed monitoring program for terrestrial wildlife is on the islands themselves rather than the land surrounding the reservoir.
Concerns
- A plan concerning the critically endangered soft shelled turtle was not available at the time of the EIA and would only occur during the building of the dam.
- A lack of baseline data for reptile distribution led to inadequate mitigation measures.
- Not all fish species were recorded during a single study.
- The hatchery will only breed certain species important to the fishing industry.
- The species were listed only in scientific names in Latin. No common names were used making the EIA more difficult to read for the public.
- The baseline data for monitoring during the project was to be collected by “Turkish university students”. It does not state which university will be collecting the data, nor a description of the baseline studies to be taken place.
- The migratory bird route would be undisturbed by the project according to the EIA. This decision was based solely on the results from one island in a dam in a different region.
- Fish spawning ground areas were listed but the monitoring measures for them were not detailed, the EIA would have benefited if monitoring was structured differently for each spawning ground area.