Lake Techirghiol (447)
Romania, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1c, A1d, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Lacul Techirghiol
Central coordinates: Latitude: 44.0260, Longitude: 28.5910
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 5 to 44
Area of KBA (km2): 30.32038
Protected area coverage (%): 95.33
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This predominantly saltwater lake lies 18 km from Constanþa; it is separated from the Black Sea by a 200 m sand-spit. The high salt concentrations in the south-eastern part of the lake prevent it from freezing during winter. Narrow reedbeds (Phragmites) are found in the western part of the lake. Surrounding slopes support fragmented steppic vegetation and arable land.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: This is a very important site for wintering and passage waterbirds˜sometimes holding more than 20,000 wintering individuals. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Anser erythropus (2-10 wintering birds) and Circus macrourus (passage).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (5%) | hunting (30%) | tourism/recreation (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 53 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 47 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threat is posed by decreasing salt-levels in the lake due to the irrigation of surrounding agricultural land and inflow from freshwater springs. In the western third of the lake two dams have been built to prevent the invasion of freshwater. Ducks and geese are hunted in winter.