Tonegawa estuary, Hazaki coast (15030)
Japan, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Tonegawa estuary, Hazaki coast
Central coordinates: Latitude: 35.7500, Longitude: 140.8333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 3
Area of KBA (km2): 11.84547
Protected area coverage (%): 69.59
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Tonegawa estuary has a large reed beds dotted with fallow fields and ponds, as well as golf courses. Near the estuary weir, the main stream of the Tonegawa, the Hitachigawa and the Kurobegawa rivers meet. We can see a large tidal flat around Tone Kamomeohashi bridge at low tide. This area is the habitat of some kinds of aquatic invertebrates like sandworms and shellfishes. Its vegetation is characterized by coast plants including Pinus thunbergii, Machilus tunbergii, Pittosporum tobira and Rose rugosa. Hazaki fishing port and its coast have sand and clay layer, where some kinds of annelids and mollusks live.
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 Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 50 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 50 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Only in the past and unlikely to return |