Bafa Lake (759)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Bafa Gölü
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.5333, Longitude: 27.4333
Elevation (m): 2 to 690
Area of KBA (km2): 176.58736
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A slightly saline lake (max. 6,708 ha, max. depth 25 m) situated south-east of the Büyük Menderes delta (site 022) and enclosed by mountain ranges, except in the west where the land opens towards the Menderes plain. The lake is fed principally by river water, and contains four islands. Its western shores are shallow and support extensive marshes. Fisheries are the main economic activity, and the lake is a popular tourist destination.
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. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Mediterranean Hotspot (2017). Taxonomy, nomenclature and global threat category follow the 2016 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: An important site for breeding waders and large numbers of wintering waterbirds. Pelecanus crispus occurs throughout the year, with birds coming mainly from site 022. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (2 breeding pairs).
Delineation rationale: Area changed from 12,281 ha to 17,650 ha (Kilic & Eken, 2004). Area changed from 17,650 ha to 17,660 ha (Eken et al, 2006).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (15%) | fisheries/aquaculture (50%) | forestry (10%) | rangeland/pastureland (15%) | tourism/recreation (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 15 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 60 | |
| Forest | 10 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 15 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Reductions in inflow have occurred as a result of levee and dam construction and abstraction for irrigation. The water-level had to be artificially raised by DSÝ after large areas dried up in 1990. Fish stocks have declined as a result of over-fishing and the lake/river connection being severed. A large housing complex is planned to the south of the lake. Illegal hunting is frequently observed. DHKD is involved in developing a management plan in cooperation with the Nature Park authorities, and runs a bird observatory.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Scale Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing |