Key Biodiversity Areas

Lake Akkeshi, Bekanbeushi marsh (15013)
Japan, Asia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Lake Akkeshi, Bekanbeushi marsh
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.0833, Longitude: 144.8833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 185.58046
Protected area coverage (%): 96.65
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site consists of Lake Akkeshiko, a brackish lake, and a lowland moor with Phragmites australis and Carex where the Bekanbeushigawa river flows into Lake Akkeshiko, a high moor near the center, and a salt marsh on the sea coast. Japanese Cranes breed on the marsh. Lake Akkeshiko is the largest wintering ground in Japan for Whooper Swan, because it does not freeze all over the lake even during cold winters.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)

Habitats

IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)5
Marine Coastal/Supratidal48
Marine Intertidal48