Karapınar Plain (751)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Karapınar Ovası
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.7667, Longitude: 33.6167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 960 to 960
Area of KBA (km2): 283.89834
Protected area coverage (%): 1.74
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A largely barren plain containing a shallow lake (max. 6,000 ha) fed by run-off from the Karacadað mountain range to the east. Waste water from the township of Karapýnar enters the lake via a drain, around the mouth of which a 200 ha fresh/brackish Phragmites marsh has developed. The lake is surrounded by grasslands and mud plains, and is virtually inaccessible during wet periods. During summer it may dry up completely. Human activities include sheep-grazing.
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.
Additional biodiversity: The site is important for breeding waders and wintering wildfowl. 30-50 pairs of Pelecanus onocrotalus were found in 1985 but have apparently not bred since.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (60%) | hunting (25%) | not utilised (15%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 70 | |
| Grassland | 30 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: No serious threats are known at the site.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of ground water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |