Kulu Lake (752)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Kulu Gölü
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.0833, Longitude: 33.1333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 950 to 950
Area of KBA (km2): 24.33134
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A shallow brackish lake situated north-west of Tuz lake (site 072), 5 km east of the town of Kulu. Fed mainly by the Kulu stream, the lake is largely devoid of fringe vegetation, except for a small freshwater area in the south. Most of the nine islands are covered with grass in spring and early summer. Non-irrigated arable land, barren steppe and cattle-grazed grass plains surround the lake.
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: The IBA is important for breeding waterbirds. In winter the lake normally freezes but occasionally holds significant numbers of wildfowl.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | not utilised (90%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Untreated waste water from Kulu enters the lake and the town's rubbish is dumped in the Kulu stream. Plans exist to improve access to the lake and to construct a road and watch towers around it, in order to promote tourism. This would undoubtedly threaten gulls and terns (Laridae) breeding on the islands, and breeding ducks. Hunting pressure would also increase.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of ground water (unknown use) | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Sewage | Ongoing |