Research Information System
Uludağ Üniversitesi Fen Edebiyat Fakültesi Sosyal Bilimler Dergisi, vol.26, no.48, pp.149-177, 2025 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)
“We Have a Lake But No Water”: Cultural Ecology of Lake Suğla
ABSTRACT
The study examines Suğla Lake from a cultural ecology perspective. Despite being a wetland of national importance, the lake has not been holistically analyzed in the context of human-environment interactions. To fill this gap, the cultural ecology of the area has been investigated through field research. The study seeks to answer the following questions: “What are the human interventions affecting the ecology of Suğla Lake?”, “What is the significance and value of the lake for the local population, and how has this changed over time?”, “From a cultural perspective, how have local lifestyles in the area been shaped?”, “How have local lifestyles and culture been influenced by the transformation of the wetland?” Quantitative data have been synthesized with primary data obtained through ethnographic methods conducted during field studies and evaluated using descriptive analysis. The findings reveal that the lake's resources have been intensively utilized by the local population for centuries, and the lake has undergone changes and lost some of its functions due to various decisions and interventions. It has been observed that decisions regarding the area were made without local participation, and interactions between humans and the environment around the lake have been shaped by decision-makers and users with limited ties to the local community. For the sustainability of the area, management plans adhering to the wise use principles outlined in the Ramsar Convention should be developed.
Key Words: wetlands, cultural ecology, Ramsar Convention, sustainable use, Lake Sugla