Karataş Lake (769)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Karataş Gölü
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.3833, Longitude: 29.9667
Elevation (m): 1053 to 1053
Area of KBA (km2): 24.27618
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A shallow, stream-fed freshwater lake situated in the north-east Tefenni plain, surrounded by arable land. Fringing vegetation is restricted to the western shore.
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: This is an important area for wintering wildfowl.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | hunting (5%) | water management (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Inflows to the lake were artificially increased in 1982 to enable the irrigation of surrounding land. The increase in water-level probably led to a significant loss of marginal vegetation. Increasing demand for irrigation water and drought has meant that the lake has been half-empty in recent years; fisheries have become less important as a result. The construction of a reservoir on an inflow to the lake will further reduce water-levels.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of ground water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Herbicides and pesticides | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing |