Abstract

Meriç (Maritsa, Evros) River is not only a transboundary river but also a border river among Turkey, Bulgaria and Greece. 65% of its catchment area is within the borders of Bulgaria. A portion of the lower part of Meriç River constitutes the Turkey-Greece border, and the other portion of it flows in Turkey. The effects of global climate change are observed in the Meriç River Basin. The changes on precipitation and temperature over the upper part of Meric River Basin situated in Bulgaria cause major problems in the lower part of the river basin in Turkey. Climate changes that have occurred in Bulgaria and projections on climate change over region, the Maritsa River water management approaches, Maritsa River floods and water shortages in Turkey were investigated in this study. As a result; flood and water scarcity problems, deterioration of water quality, ecosystem problems and socio-economic problems of the local population are increasing in the section of the river basin in Turkey. Prevention and/or mitigation of these problems depend on the effective implementation of integrated transboundary watershed management strategies in the joint coordination among Turkey, Bulgaria and Greece.