İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park, situated in the Kırklareli Province of Turkey’s Marmara Region, represents a significant natural resource. Established on November 13, 2007, it comprises 3,155 hectares (7,800 acres) of unspoiled terrain, which is essential to the Eastern Thrace ecology on Turkey’s European border. About 25 kilometers (16 miles) from the Demirköy District in Kırklareli Province, the park is near İğneada, next to the Turkish-Bulgarian border. One of Turkey’s most unusual protected regions, this national park offers a special mix of marshlands, marshes, lakes, and coastal sand dunes.

The Black Sea shoreline and the nearby Strandzha mountain range interact dynamically at İğneada National Park. Originating in the Strandzha highlands, streams approaching the Black Sea carry alluvial soil down the coast. The seasonal floods have helped the floodplain—also known as “longoz” in Turkish—to develop, hence defining the core of the park’s terrain. This unique quality affects the topography and helps to preserve the park’s diversified vegetation and animals.

The Strandzha mountains to the south and west provide a major background for the large marshes in the park. The park’s terrain is defined by five different lakes, each improving the natural diversity. One notable geographical feature is Lake Erikli, a 43 hectare (110 acre lagoon). Drought causes this lake to become cut off from the sea in the summer, so offering information on the changing environmental circumstances of the area. Created by the Çavuşdere creek, Lake Mert, 266 hectares (660 acres), is another significant water feature inside the park. The park’s ecosystem is made more complicated and varied by smaller lakes including Lake Saka (5 hectares/12 acres), Lake Hamam (19 hectares/47 acres), and Lake Pedina (10 hectares/25 acres).

The park’s visual appeal is much enhanced by the coastal sand dunes outside İğneada town. Whereas the southern dunes cover from the sea connection of Lake Mert to the southern side of Lake Saka, the northern dunes stretch from the eastern side of Lake Erikli to İğneada. These 50 to 60 meter (160 to 200 foot) dunes at some sites help to define the park’s unique topography.

One important botanical environment is İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park. The unique vegetation of the park comes from its location at the meeting of several biological zones. The 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) dunes add a special feature to the biodiversity of the park since they support native plant species from the southwest Black Sea area. International accords recognize the ecological value of the dunes, which together with the marshes, lakes, and woodlands are safeguarded.

Among the many non-evergreen tree species found in the park’s woods are European ash, oak, alder, beech, and maple most especially. The several varieties of vines found in the woodland add to the park’s lush canopy. The range of plant life in the park demonstrates the suitable surroundings that enable many different kinds.

Like their vegetation, İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park boasts great diversity in its wildlife. Many kinds of mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish find habitat in the park. Along with lesser animals like hares and weasels, the park boasts a variety of mammals including wildcats, wild boars, foxes, deer, and gray wolves. Contributing to the park’s diversity are European otters, badgers, and pine martens from Europe.

The park is the ideal place for ornithological study since it shows great variety of avian species. Visitors might come upon the white-tailed eagle, European green woodpecker, grey heron, European cuckoo, kingfisher, black stork, and hoopoe. These birds thrive in the wetlands and forests of the park since they have enough food and cover there among the many environments.

The park boasts somewhat varied aquatic environments. Common fish species in the lakes and rivers of the park are trout, smelt, and grey mullet, which adds to the local ecological complexity. The park’s biodiversity is enhanced by the several lizard and snake species including Hermann’s tortoise, southern crested newt.

İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park is a national treasure with worldwide importance because of its special habitats and higher degree of biodiversity. Under Turkey’s Ministry of Environment and Forest, the Directorate-General of Nature Protection and National Parks manages the park, which is actively maintained to protect its fragile natural balance. Numerous species, including rare or endangered ones, depend on the marshes, dunes, woods, and lakes.

For those who would want to visit this amazing natural environment, İğneada Floodplain Forests National Park is available by both public and private car. Silivri, Çorlu, Lüleburgaz, Pınarhisar, Demirköy, and İğneada help one to get into the park from Istanbul. Alternatively, drivers could use the O.3 motorway from Istanbul, pass Saray, Vize, and then Poyralı and Demirköy before reaching the park.

For those who enjoy outdoor activities and the natural surroundings, the park offers paths for hiking, birdwatching, and photography. The calm surroundings and varied flora help to create an interesting experience so that guests may interact with Turkey’s unique terrain.