The Effects of Natural Life Islands Planing on Izmir Bay Ecosystem

Abstract

Izmir is one of the most important trade ports of Turkey, which has hosted many important civilizations through time. Izmir and its surroundings owe this strategic value to the Bay. Many scientific studies that have been carried out in Izmir Bay for decades point out that the Bay has become by limiting direct pollution of the Bay. However, it is a fact that the present circulation should be increased. For this reason, the İzmir Bay and Port Rehabilitation Project was created. The aim of this study is to choose the most suitable place for the proposed "Natural Life Islands", which are to be built from the seabed dredgings from a channel to be built to help increase the circulation in the bay. Hydroacustic and oceanographic data were collected and evaluated. After post dredging, the future flow pattern and sediment transport model should be investigated. The planned islands are expected to have an impacts on the Izmir Bay ecosystem. Therefore, it is very important to make the right decision as to the placement of the islands. As a result, the effects of the planned islands on the present ecosystem of the bay should be investigated in detail.