Key Biodiversity Areas

Lake Inawashiro (15027)
Japan, Asia

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Lake Inawashiro
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.4833, Longitude: 140.1000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 514
Area of KBA (km2): 114.86124
Protected area coverage (%): 95.16
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Located in the northwestern part from the center of Fukushima Prefecture, the lake is at 514 m height above sea level, with perimeters of 56 km and 103.3 km2 in area. Due to inflow of strongly acidic groundwater and rivers, the lake shows acidification, with low Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) in the water and high degree of transparency. The surrounding wetlands include the one with the government designated Natural Monument Akaiyachishoya helophyte community mainly composed of Sphagnum.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.

Habitats


IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)100

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Agriculture & aquacultureAnnual & perennial non-timber cropsScale Unknown/UnrecordedOnly in the future
Biological resource useFishing & harvesting aquatic resourcesUnintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest]Only in the future
Natural system modificationsDams & water management/useLarge damsOnly in the future
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesInvasive non-native/alien species/diseasesNamed speciesOnly in the future
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesProblematic native species/diseasesNamed speciesOnly in the future
PollutionDomestic & urban waste waterSewageOnly in the future
PollutionIndustrial & military effluentsType Unknown/UnrecordedOnly in the future
Climate change & severe weatherStorms & floodingOnly in the future
Geological eventsEarthquakes/tsunamisOnly in the future
Human intrusions & disturbanceRecreational activitiesOnly in the future
PollutionGarbage & solid wasteOnly in the future
Transportation & service corridorsRoads & railroadsOnly in the future