Tuz Gölü

Tuz Gölü is a large lake located in a closed basin within the boundaries of Ankara, Konya and Aksaray provinces in Türkiye's Central Anatolia Region. The lake is surrounded by the Kızılırmak Massif to the east, Obruk to the south, Cihanbeyli and Haymana plateaus to the west and north. Tuz Gölü is Türkiye's second largest lake by area and has the largest surface area after Van Gölü. The lake covers an area of 7,414 km² and its depth rarely exceeds 0.5 meters in most places. During spring when water levels are high the lake expands to 164,200 hectares but during summer months intense evaporation causes most of the lake to dry up leaving behind salt crusts up to 30 cm thick.

^{Tuz Gölü (Source:} Ministry of Environment Urbanization and Climate Change of the Republic of Türkiye⁾

Tuz Gölü lies in a tectonic depression and is a remnant of Neogene period lakes. It is situated within a closed basin with no outflow and is primarily fed by groundwater and several small streams. However during summer months the drop in water level and extreme evaporation lead to significant salt accumulation. The salinity of the lake water reaches a high level of 32.4% and its density varies between 1.022 and 1.025 g/cm³.

Tuz Gölü is an ecologically significant wetland hosting 85 bird species four endemic insect species and 38 endemic plant species. In addition salt-tolerant plants and endemic species are found in the surrounding salt steppes. The lake serves as an important wintering ground for waterbirds particularly flamingos sword-billed hummingbirds ibises and other migratory birds providing essential habitat for shelter feeding and breeding. The area around the lake exhibits rich diversity of drought-resistant and halophytic plants. Tuz Gölü is Türkiye's most important breeding site for flamingos and hosts large breeding colonies.

Tuz Gölü is a major source of salt for Türkiye. Salt production is carried out through evaporation. Under the sun the lake water evaporates causing salt to crystallize using a pond system. The Kaldırım Kayacık and Yavşan Saltworks operated by the General Directorate of Monopolies are the main facilities producing salt from Tuz Gölü. In addition irrigated agriculture is practiced around the lake with particular emphasis on sugar beet cultivation.

Tuz Gölü was declared a "Tuz Gölü Special Environmental Protection Area" by a Council of Ministers Decision in 2000 and this area holds great importance for the conservation of biological diversity. The lake has also been registered as a Class I Natural Sit Area. However the lake's ecosystem is under threat due to declining water levels and excessive groundwater extraction. Agricultural activities waste discharge and planned projects in the region also contribute to environmental pressure. WWF Türkiye and other environmental organizations are implementing various conservation projects to address these threats.