Key Biodiversity Areas

Hafik Zara Hills (756)
Turkey, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Hafik Zara Tepeleri
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.8167, Longitude: 37.3833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1295 to 1295
Area of KBA (km2): 1029.22659
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: A slightly brackish lake (326 ha, average depth 4 m) situated in the upper Kýzýlýrmak basin, fed by springs and the Acýsu stream. Reed Phragmites fringes the lake and there is one small island in the east. The surrounds consist of arable/fallow land and pasture, except in the west where extensive wet grasslands are grazed by cattle.
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 an important area for breeding and passage waterbirds. Other species of note include breeding Motacilla citreola.
Delineation rationale: Area changed from 750 ha [in 1997/2000 IBA inventory] to 102,800 ha; new area incorporates old site (Kiliç & Eken 2004).

Habitats


Land use: agriculture (5%) | not utilised (80%) | tourism/recreation (5%) | water management
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Grassland20
Wetlands(Inland)75

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: An ongoing DSÝ project will see the irrigation of 11,220 ha along the Kýzýlýrmak river (including land around the lake).
Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Natural system modificationsDams & water management/useDams (size unknown)Only in the future
Agriculture & aquacultureLivestock farming & ranchingSmall-holder grazing, ranching or farmingOngoing