14.5.1. Minimizing alteration of aquatic ecosystems (plan)

METU has a plan to minimise physical, chemical and biological changes to the aquatic ecosystems connected to its campuses: Lake Eymir in Ankara and the Mediterranean coast at Erdemli.

Plan

METU Strategic Plan 2023–2027 (approved at the joint meeting of the University Senate and the University Administrative Board on 26 April 2022), Objective O4.2, commits METU to "protecting … the rich forest, steppe, sea, and lake ecosystem integrity and biodiversity" of its campuses, which include Lake Eymir. Strategy S2: "Researching the ecological and biodiversity values of our campuses and promoting them by considering the protection-use balance, continuing and increasing forestation efforts and the tree planting festival."

Measures

• Wastewater that once polluted Lake Eymir is now treated before discharge, and a biomanipulation programme has restored the lake's ecosystem.

• Lake Eymir's water quality is monitored continuously by an automatic station at the deepest point of the lake so that changes can be detected early.

• METU contributes to the Mogan–Eymir Lake Sub-Basin Protection Action Plan with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry's General Directorate of Water Management.

• On Lake Eymir, which lies on METU land, fishing is allowed only in set periods and under control, with no more than one rod per person; angling is banned along the shore at the lake warden's office, and no boats other than the patrol boat and authorised craft may be put on the lake (METU Internal Services Directorate, Lake Eymir rules).