[4] The wetland is a key biodiversity area and one of several internationally important Ramsar sites in Turkey because of its rich bird and plant life.

As water is pumped off fields seawater is intruding, making part of the delta saltier.

Also as sediment is caught in upstream dams the coastline is receding, and this is forecast to continue, and sea level may rise because of climate change in Turkey.

[2] The delta covers an area of about 56 thousand hectares,[2] of which 11,600 are wetland ecosystems and related habitats.

[12] The Black Sea coastal road runs across the south of the delta, which is in Ondokuzmayis, Bafra and Alacam districts.

[8]: 14 The climate is temperate,[16] with hot dry summers, warm wet winters, and foggy and rainy springs.

[18] In the delta are many wetland ecosystems: bottomland hardwood forest, freshwater and brackish lakes, reed beds and sand dunes.

[6] European Nature Information System habitats are Constant Coastal Dunes with Grass, Coastal Dune Bushes, Permanent Mesotrophic Lakes and Ponds, Wide Reed Beds, Juncus Marshes, Humid or Wet Eutrophic and Mesotrophic Meadows, Flooded Forests, Thermophilic Deciduous Forests, and Mixed Market Gardens and Agricultural Sites.

The main species in the area are the southern banded newt (Triturus vittatus), southern crested newt (Triturus karaelinii), common toad (Bufo bufo), European green toad (Bufo viridis), European tree frog (Hyla arborea), eastern spadefoot toad (Pelobates syriacus), agile frog (Rana dalmatina), and Uludağ frog (Rana macrocnemis).

[32] Lake fishers catch carp, mullet, zander and crayfish (Astacus leptodactylus).

[39] Tourism includes walking, enjoying the landscape, photography, picnicking, cycling and watching wildlife such as birdwatching.

[42] Some traditional practices help with the management: for example water buffalo and fishing boats help keep the connections between the lakes open.

[44] Doğa hope to complete a resurvey of all Key Biodiversity Areas in Turkey by the end of 2024.

In the past half million years the North Anatolian Fault has pushed up the southern part of the delta, and changes in climate and sea level have alternated lagoons and lakes.

[53]Strabo described the delta as producing fruit,[54] deer,[54] gazelles and soft-wooled sheep,[55] and the town of Gadilon.

During the Ottoman Empire and early years of the republic malaria was widespread near the marshes and the lower lands were occupied seasonally.

[11] As in some other parts of the country much of the population was forcibly exchanged between Greece and Turkey in the early 20th century.

[8] Festivals included a stork feast, spring release of water buffaloes, and sheep breeding.

[8] In the late 20th century the ecological value of the marshes was recognized and attempts to protect them began, although some local residents opposed restrictions on agriculture and building.