Kars Plain (829)
Turkey, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Kars Ovası
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.6000, Longitude: 43.3167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2235 to 2366
Area of KBA (km2): 186.88387
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A small wetland situated 20 km east of Kars, adjacent to the road between Kars and Digor. To the south of the road are 15 ha of open water, with a rich submerged flora (mainly Potamogeton) and a mosaic of emergent sedge-beds. The area to the north is largely seasonal. The lake lies on a vast elevated plateau, covered largely by extensively grazed steppe-grassland.
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 Caucasus Hotspot (2003, updated 2004). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2002 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: The area is important for breeding waterbirds.
Delineation rationale: Area changed from 25 ha [in 1997/2000 IBA inventory] to 18670 ha (Kiliç & Eken 2004); new area includes Çali Gölü.
Habitats
Land use: not utilised (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Drinking water for Kars is pumped from a nearby well˜the wetland seems to be unaffected.