Tolbo Lake (16319)
Mongolia, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Tolbo Lake
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.5333, Longitude: 90.1000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2079 to 2594
Area of KBA (km2): 158.73348
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Tolbo Lake is a freshwater lake located in Tolbo soum, Bayan-Olgii aimag. The west side of the lake has numerous inlets and peninsulas. Reed and tall grassy areas have become degraded by overgrazing. The lake is frozen from October to May. A warmer climate and many years of drought have resulted in a decrease in the water level. Illegal hunting threatens wildlife species in adjacent mountains. Uncontrolled fishing in winter is contributing to water pollution.
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)
Additional biodiversity: The site is important for two Globally Threatened species: Pallas’s Fish-eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus (VU); and Saker Falcon Falco cherrug (EN). The site supports assemblages of species restricted to the Eurasian steppe and desert and Eurasian high montane biomes. The site also supports at least 1% of the flyway populations of the following congregatory waterbird species: Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo; Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus; Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus; Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea; Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula; and Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus. Non-bird biodiversity: Grey Wolf Canis lupus, Red Fox Vulpes vulpes and Pallas's Cat Felis manul all occur at the site.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 50 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 |