Balık Lake (772)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Balık Gölü
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.7833, Longitude: 43.5667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2241 to 2241
Area of KBA (km2): 70.32372
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: One of the highest lakes in Turkey, up to 70 m deep and fed by mountain streams, springs and groundwater. The lake is normally frozen for five months of the year, except for a small area in the north where a spring prevents freezing. The muddy shores have reed Phragmites fringes. The immediate surrounds comprise grazed meadows and arable land; the lake is a popular fishing ground for locals.
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.
Habitats
Land use: water management (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 33 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 |
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 | Wood & pulp plantations | Small-holder plantations | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing |