Boundaries

This ecoregion is defined by the basin of Lake Van. It is bordered by the Kura- South Caspian Drainages ecoregion [434] on the east and the Upper Tigris & Euphrates ecoregion [432] on the other borders.

Topography

Lake Van lies at 1719 m above sea level and has a catchment area of 18,298 km². It is about 129 km long and 56 km wide. A lava dam on the west isolates the lake from the upper Euphrates River. It is surrounded by mountains of the Turkish Taurus Range, which reach 4434 m.

Freshwater habitats

Lake Van is a large saline and soda lake with no outlet. The three main rivers that drain into the lake − the Bendimahi, Karasu, and Hosap − flow through a bare undulating landscape.

Terrestrial habitats

The Lake Van basin falls within the Eastern Anatolian montane steppe terrestrial ecoregion. It is generally mountainous but bordered by limited arable plains on the north and east. The vegetation is mixed forest, much of which is now degraded.

Description of endemic fishes

There are no endemic genera, but three species are endemic (Alburnus tarichi, Capoeta kosswigi, Nemacheilus pulsiz). 

Ecological phenomena

Tarek (Alburnus tarichi) is adapted to the alkaline lake environment and forms the basis for a fishery.

Justification for delineation

Lake Van is the fourth largest terminal lake and has an unusual alkaline chemistry (pH 9.7). It was delineated based on its isolation and relict species.

Level of taxonomic exploration

Fair