Key Biodiversity Areas

Mukawa (15134)
Japan, Asia

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Mukawa
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.5833, Longitude: 141.9333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 35.58633
Protected area coverage (%): 4.20
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Mukawa is located in the southwest of Hokkaido. Around 90% of the tidal flat that existed until 1970s has vanished due to erosion. However, citizens, specialists and administration are now planning to restore the environment, through erosion control and developing man-made tidal flats and so on. Shorebirds are seen at those tidal flats and fresh water ponds. White-fronted Geese that fly to Lake Utonaiko and Yufutsu plain feed on surrounding paddy fields.
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
Marine Neritic5
Marine Intertidal5
Artificial - Terrestrial90

Threats


Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Agriculture & aquacultureAnnual & perennial non-timber cropsScale Unknown/UnrecordedOnly in the past and unlikely to return