Monitoring the Health of Aquatic Ecosystems

Boğaziçi University is actively engaged in various projects to monitor and protect the health of aquatic ecosystems. The University's Coastal Engineering Laboratory focuses on developing sustainable engineering solutions for coastal areas and waters. This includes regular monitoring and assessment of ecosystems. In addition, the university's Wildlife Conservation Commission carries out activities to protect the health of aquatic ecosystems and support biodiversity in these areas.

These initiatives play a vital role in ensuring the sustainability of water resources and preventing damage to ecosystems. Monitoring aquatic ecosystems enables the identification of factors affecting ecosystem health and the development of intervention strategies. Boğaziçi University plays a leading role in this field, combining scientific research with practical solutions.

Related Links:

• Bogazici University Coastal Engineering Laboratory Projects

24/7 Monitoring of Endangered Sheldrake Birds

About the Project:

Supported by TÜBİTAK and led by Boğaziçi University's Institute of Environmental Sciences, this project was launched to protect sheldrake birds. The project also involves institutions such as Ege University, Istanbul Technical University, Istanbul University, TÜDAV and the Mediterranean Science Foundation (CIESM). The aim is to contribute to the conservation of this species by gathering information about their migration routes, breeding areas and feeding behaviour.

Methods used:

1.GPS-GSM Tracking:

Small satellite transmitters were attached to 30 black-winged stilts in the Bosphorus Strait. These devices will transmit the birds' locations 24/7 for approximately two months.

2.Genetic Analysis:

Samples taken from birds captured in Turkey are being compared with populations abroad to examine genetic links and diversity.

3.Acoustic Monitoring:

Devices installed in Turkey are recording the sounds made by the birds during their breeding season in an effort to identify potential nesting areas. No yelkovan nests have yet been discovered in Turkey.

Information About Yelkovan Birds:

Yelkovan birds are a species that are very agile and can fly at speeds of up to 70 km per hour very close to the sea. The Bosphorus Strait is an important transit point for these birds during their migration between the Western Mediterranean and the Black Sea. However, this species is endangered, which is why scientific studies are of great importance.

Capture Method and Success:

The birds were captured without harm using a special method developed by Dr. Asaf Ertan of the Turkish Marine Research Foundation, involving nets stretched between two buoys placed on the sea. This method also marked the first successful implementation in Europe of attaching transmitters to birds while they were in flight on this scale.

Importance of the Project:

The project aims to collect important data on the life cycle of yelkovan birds and develop conservation strategies based on this information. The study also represents a scientific first.

https://haberler.bogazici.edu.tr/tr/news/bilim/4/tehlike-altindaki-yelkovan-kuslarina-724-taki/2807

2024 Sustainability Report SDG-14 (Related Section)

Boğaziçi University carries out extensive studies to monitor and protect the health of aquatic ecosystems. The University's Coastal Engineering Laboratory develops sustainable engineering solutions for coastal areas and water resources and provides regular monitoring of aquatic ecosystems.

0

Click here to see the Coastal Engineering Laboratory projects:

https://coastal.bogazici.edu.tr/content/projects

In addition, the Wildlife Conservation Commission carries out various activities to support biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems and maintain ecosystem health. These studies are vital for identifying environmental factors that threaten ecosystems and developing appropriate intervention strategies.

Boğaziçi University plays a leading role in monitoring the health and sustainable management of aquatic ecosystems by combining scientific research with practical solutions. These initiatives make critical contributions to protecting water resources, ensuring the sustainability of ecosystems and preventing damage to natural habitats.