An Evaluation of the Environmental Problems of Burdur Lake Basin

Abstract

Burdur Lake is a closed-basin lake, located in the Mediterranean region of Türkiye. In this study, the studies conducted in the Burdur Lake and Burdur Lake Basin were examined in an attempt to determine major environmental problems in the region. Research directions for solving environmental problems were also evaluated. This study examined 150 studies published between 1976 and 2022. The studies were classified into seven categories based on the research topics: Biodiversity/Ecology, Hydrology/Hydrological Change, Land Cover Change, Water Quality, Climate Change, Socio-Economic Impact, Environmental Policies/Recreation. Majority of the studies were related to Biodiversity/Ecology topic. This was followed by the Hydrology/Hydrological Change and Environmental Policies/Recreation studies. There is a consensus that the major threat toward Burdur Lake is the alteration of its flow regime. Ecological and land cover changes were also mentioned. The number of studies about Burdur Lake has increased rapidly in the last ten years. The increase in environmental problems in the Burdur Lake is most probably responsible for this trend. Climate change, which can be among the future pressure factors for Burdur Lake, has not received sufficient attention yet. We recommend that the future studies consider climate change effects on the hydrologic and ecological system.