IESc Seminar Series: “A drying lake vs. a thirsty land: Navigating the tension between agriculture and nature conservation in the Konya Closed Basin, Turkey", by Cem İskender Aydın

Institute of Environmental Sciences Seminar Series

“A drying lake vs. a thirsty land: Navigating the tension between agriculture and nature conservation in the Konya Closed Basin, Turkey”

by Cem İskender Aydın

Boğaziçi University

We cordially invite you to our seminar “A drying lake vs. a thirsty land: Navigating the tension between agriculture and nature conservation in the Konya Closed Basin, Turkey” to be held by Cem İskender Aydın, Boğaziçi University

When: 24 November 2025, Monday, 14:00-15:30

Where: Institute of Environmental Sciences Seminar Room (Hisar Campus E-Block)

Contact: pinar.ertor@bogazici.edu.tr for any questions.

Abstract: A drying lake vs. a thirsty land: Navigating the tension between agriculture and nature conservation in the Konya Closed Basin, Turkey

Ipek Ronahi Gündüz, Cem İskender Aydın, Begüm Özkaynak

The Konya Closed Basin, a vital agricultural hub in Turkey, faces severe water scarcity, due to both changing climatic conditions and a major shift toward water-intensive crops (e.g., corn). Historically, the basin relied on water transfers from Lake Beyşehir, and more recently, projects like the Mavi Tunnel. There is, hence, a significant pressure on Lake Beyşehir, which supports both irrigation and crucial ecosystem services. This study uses the IPBES Nature's Contributions to People (NCP) framework to investigate local willingness to support Lake Beyşehir's conservation. We employed a contingent valuation survey (n=900) to assess residents' willingness to pay higher utility bills to compensate farmers who transition to less water-intensive crops. Concurrently, in-depth interviews (n=50) explored farmers' willingness to forgo income to protect the lake. Both methods assessed participants' understanding of the lake's NCPs. By analyzing the relationship between NCP awareness and conservation willingness, this study aims to show how awareness shapes local motivations for environmental protection. The findings also explore farmers’ ‘room for manoeuvre,’ offering a replicable framework for mitigating agricultural-water conflicts in other ecologically sensitive regions.

Short bio:

Cem İskender Aydın is an assistant professor at the Institute of Environmental Sciences at Boğaziçi University. He received his Ph.D. from Université Paris-Saclay. His research covers the topics of energy justice, energy and climate policy/politics, environmental justice, and environmental valuation.