IĞNEADA LONGOZ (SUBASAR) FORESTS
Longoz (subasar) type forest area; It is a forested area that is mostly covered with water in the spring-winter season when the amount of precipitation is high. Longoz Forests National Park, located in Igneada Town of Demirkoy District of Kirklareli Province, is located on the Black Sea coastline close to the Bulgarian border and covers an area of 3155 hectares. As a result of the decision of the Council of Ministers, the area was published in the Official Gazette on 13.11.2007 and registered as the 39th National Park of our country. has been done. The town of Igneada, where the National Park is located, is 27 km from Demirkoy district, and from Kirklareli city center. It is 97 km away and 237 km from Istanbul.
The National Park area consists of two parts, between these two parts is the town center of İğneada. The southern part of the National Park is Saka Lake, Deniz Lake, Hamam Lake, Pedina Lake, Mert Lake and the reeds, longoz forests and deciduous forests around these lakes; The northern part of the National Park consists of Erikli Lake and the reeds around it and the longoz forests surrounding this region.
472 different plant species have been recorded in Igneada Longoz Forests National Park, which includes ecosystems that stand out in terms of biodiversity, such as longoz forests, lake and lagoon systems and coastal dunes in the candidate biosphere region covering the Yıldız Mountains.
Habitats of floodplain forests include mixed forest trees such as ash, beech, stemmed oak, stemless oak, plain maple, sycamore maple, mountain ash, linden, alder, elderberry, dogwood, elm and hornbeam.
Among the wetland plants, the threatened Lake Chestnut in freshwater marshes and Lotus communities are considered indicators of high water quality.
The coastal dunes together with the longoz forests form the most sensitive ecosystems of İğneada. 46 plant species have been identified in the coastal dunes. Among these plants, Black Sea Cucumber, Kilyos Cornflower, Coastal Celery and Coastal Mulberry are endemic species; It is seen only on the Black Sea coasts of Thrace in Europe. Sand Pearl, Cornflower, Akyumak and Sand Lily spreading in the area are protected by the Bern Convention.
In addition, cyclamen, two-leaved bulbs, snowdrops and blue marsh irises, inverted tulips and orchids can be seen in the area.
The fauna of the national park consists of mammals, birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians.
With a high diversity of mammalian species, Igneada and its surroundings constitute 34% of the mammals in Turkey and 57% of those in Thrace. Except for bat species, 41 mammal species have been identified in the National Park. In the field; There are important wild species such as deer, roe deer, wild boar, wolf, fox, jackal, wild cat, marten, badger and otter, which is considered an indicator of clean waters.
Nearly half of the 454 bird species that make up Turkey's bird population can be seen in İğneada during the year. The National Park is a gateway for many waterfowl and raptors, especially storks, in the autumn migration. Nine bird species seen in the area have been accepted as indicator species for the Igneada ecosystem. of these species Little Green Woodpecker It spreads only in Northern Thrace in our country. dwarf cormorant, whitetail eagle and little kestrel are endangered and potentially endangered species on the European Red List.
In the National Park, 35 fish species, 27 reptile, 9 amphibian and 310 insect species have been identified. Among the fish species, brook anchovy, sea needle, freshwater goby, wolffish, point pearl fish, bitter fish, stone-eating fish, black-nose fish; Amphibian salamander, nocturnal frog, warty frog, lowland frog, and corrugated lizard, green lizard, thin lizard, wall lizard and Thrace lizard are on the protection list of the Bern Convention.
Igneada Longoz Forests National Park and its surroundings are rare places in our country that form a chain of ecologically connected ecosystems. Longoz (Subasar) Forest Ecosystem, Wetland Ecosystem, Coastal Dune Ecosystem and Deciduous Forest Ecosystem types are seen in the National Park.
Longoz (Subasar) Forest Ecosystem; Streams flowing from the Istranca Mountains to the Black Sea along the Black Sea coast end in lakes and the marshy areas of these lakes before they reach the Black Sea. The lakes and swamps, which are disconnected from the sea due to the sand dunes in front of them, swell with the increase in the amount of water in the spring and overflow backwards and cover the flat land. These floodplains form the Longoz (Subasar) Forests.
These flooded forests, which are completely covered with water in winter and spring, are partially drained in summer and autumn, but develop on acidic soils rich in organic matter, with a very high ground water level, have an appearance reminiscent of tropical forests.
Although it is very difficult to come across such ecosystems due to the climate characteristic in our country, the most beautiful forests that preserve their unspoiled nature with flooded forest feature are located in Igneada Longoz Forests National Park. The reason why such ecosystems are very few in our country is due to the fact that these ecosystems are very sensitive. As soon as the ground water level drops, these forests lose their real properties. In Igneada Longoz Forests National Park, there are 3 separate longoz (subasar) forest areas. These; Erikli Lake Flood, Mert Lake Flood and Saka Lake Flood.
Wetland Ecosystem; The lagoon lakes varying in size between the longoz forests and the dunes and the inner forest lakes form the wetlands of the region. Erikli Lake, Mert Lake and Saka Lake are lagoons, while Hamam and Pedina lakes are lakes in the forest. Mert Lake is the largest wetland with its water surface and reeds area among the lakes of Longoz forests. This lake is also of great importance for migratory birds.
Coastal Dune Ecosystem; It forms the most sensitive ecosystems of the national park. Most of the known endemic plants in and around İğneada live on the coastal sand dunes in this region.
Deciduous Forest Ecosystem; They mostly spread in the area between Saka Lake Flood and Mert Lake Floodplain in the region. dominant tree species, Oak, Ash and Hornbeam.
Igneada Longoz Forests National Park is one of the rare protected areas within the borders of our country that has carried its natural character until today. Longoz (subasar) that gives the national park its character for our country There is no other example of the forest ecosystem of this scale and nature. Thanks to the different ecosystems it has, it has the opportunity to observe many rare and attractive plant species.
Since Igneada is on the bird migration route, it provides suitable opportunities for bird watching. Cycling, hiking, photo safari and wayfinding activities can be done in its magnificent forests.