A Hydrologic Restoration Attempt of the Dried Akgol Wetland (Central Anatolia, Turkey)

Abstract

The Akgol Wetland has been subject to extensive drainage processes by anthropogenic factors that have almost caused the wetland to disappear since the 1970s. In this contribution, as a one of the pioneering work on wetland restoration in Turkey, we present hydrological studies aiming to restore the natural function of the Akgol wetland and post-restoration observations. Considering the water budget of the wetland, three scenarios focusing on restoring the wetland hydrology were developed. The open water surface area and volumetric water storage relations for each scenario were simulated using GIS-based tools. The most appropriate scenario for restoration of the Akgol Wetland was chosen by taking the original state of the wetland prior to drainage as the primary criterion. As the first stage, functioning of the central channel draining the wetland was ceased by refilling it. Following this, an artificial bank was constructed at the narrowest part of the wetland, which resulted in an open water surface that cover all current and former ponds. The wetland has start to hold surface runoff and groundwater inflows since September 2011. Since rewetting, the Akgol Wetland is regaining its ecosystem functions and the increase in avian population indicate the proposed restoration effort was successful.