Palas Lake (813)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Palas Gölü
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.0167, Longitude: 35.8167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1132 to 1132
Area of KBA (km2): 46.78379
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A saline lake (max. 2,330 ha) north-east of Kayseri, separated from the Kýzýlýrmak river by a low mountain range and fed mainly by surface run-off. Extensive areas of mudflat, saltmarsh and freshwater marsh occur along the eastern shore; vegetation along the southern and south-eastern shores is dominated by Juncus. The lake is surrounded by arable land, orchards and pasture, and largely dries up during summer.
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: A WIWO study undertaken in spring 1988 revealed that the IBA is an important stop-over site for several wader species.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | not utilised (90%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 10 | |
| Desert | 39 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 51 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: In 1995 DSÝ started constructing the Bahçelik reservoir on the Zamantý river, 55 km south-east of the IBA. The lake's water-level may drop as a result of this scheme, leading to the permanent loss of valuable marsh areas.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |