Key Biodiversity Areas

Lake Utonai, Yufutu plain (15133)
Japan, Asia

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Lake Utonai, Yufutu plain
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.6500, Longitude: 141.7500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 71.55671
Protected area coverage (%): 7.15
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Yufutsu plain is located in the southwest of Hokkaido, and is a wetland formed by the peat bed with the volcanic ash fall pile. In the lakes and marshes grow aquatic plants such as Zizania latifolis surrounded by grassland of Phragmites australis, Calamagrostis langsdorffii and shrub of Alnus japonica. Secondary forests of Quercus serrata and Quercus crispula are found around there.
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)50
Artificial - Terrestrial50

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseasesInvasive non-native/alien species/diseasesNamed speciesOngoing
Climate change & severe weatherStorms & floodingOnly in the future
Energy production & miningRenewable energyOngoing
Geological eventsVolcanoesOnly in the future
Human intrusions & disturbanceRecreational activitiesOngoing
Residential & commercial developmentCommercial & industrial areasOngoing
Transportation & service corridorsRoads & railroadsOngoing