Mounts Azuma and Bandai (15025)
Japan, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Mounts Azuma and Bandai
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.7333, Longitude: 140.1833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 520 to 2105
Area of KBA (km2): 286.40304
Protected area coverage (%): 89.79
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site has mountainous ranges with lakes and marshes in a large area. Urabandai area, located in the southeast of Yamagata Prefecture, has Lake Hibarako, Lake Onogawako, Lake Akimotoko as well as many other lakes and marshes of various sizes in the Goshikinuma lake region, where reed beds, grasslands, mixed forests of conifer and broadleaf trees, and primary forests of Fagus crenata exist. The Azumarenpo mountain range is the biggest volcanic cluster in the Nasu volcanic belt, with its diversified environment comprising forest zones including primary forests of Fagus crenata and Abies mariesii, rock belts, high moors and valleys.
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 Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Geological events | Volcanoes | Ongoing |