Baath Lake (8299)
Syria, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Baath Lake
Central coordinates: Latitude: 35.8667, Longitude: 38.6333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 275 to 275
Area of KBA (km2): 60.34477
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A shallow, 10-km-long lake formed by a dam on the Euphrates (Al-Furat) at Mansurah, less than 10 km to the east of and below the main dam of Buhayrat al-Assad (Lake Assad) at Tabqa. The upper reaches are particularly shallow with a number of islands fringed by Phragmites reedbeds.
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.
Additional biodiversity: Thousands of roosting and loafing wildfowl occur in winter, especially ducks. The site has been surveyed only once in any detail, in November 1992, when wintering or migrating species included Ardea cinerea (80), Anser albifrons (800), Anas penelope (900), A. strepera (700), Fulica atra (5,000), Larus sp. (1,000–2,000), Alcedo atthis (40), Ceryle rudis (40) and Merops superciliosus (800). Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Canis lupus (V).
Habitats
Land use: hunting | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Aquatic | 50 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: No conservation measures are known to have been proposed. Hunting is permitted.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |