göller

Göller is the Turkish plural form of göl, meaning lake. In Turkish geography, goller are bodies of standing water surrounded by land and can vary from small ponds to large basins. Lakes arise through a range of geological and climatic processes, including tectonic rift formation, glacial carving, volcanic crater filling, sedimentation in river valleys, and human-made damming. They may be endorheic, retaining water within a closed basin, or exorheic, draining toward seas.

Hydrologically, lakes differ in size, depth, water chemistry, and nutrient status. They can be freshwater, saline, or alkaline, and their temperatures and mixing patterns influence biological productivity. Seasonal turnover, stratification, and sedimentation shape their ecological character. Biodiversity in lakes often includes aquatic plants, fish, and a variety of invertebrates, with many lakes serving as important stopovers for migratory birds.

In Turkey, goller range from large, well-known examples to numerous smaller bodies across the landscape. Notable lakes include Lake Van (Van Gölü), a large endorheic saline soda lake in the east, and Tuz Gölü, a prominent hypersaline lake in central Anatolia. Such lakes contribute to regional climate moderation, groundwater recharge, and local economies through fishing, tourism, and recreation. They are, however, sensitive to environmental pressures such as drought, climate change, water extraction, and pollution, which can affect water levels, salinity, and ecological integrity.

Conservation and sustainable management of goller involve monitoring water quality and quantity, protecting habitats, and balancing usage with ecological needs through national and local governance.