Bahrat Homs (8308)
Syria, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c, D1a
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Bahrat Homs
Central coordinates: Latitude: 34.6167, Longitude: 36.5333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 480 to 510
Area of KBA (km2): 52.92596
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A semi-artificial, eutrophic reservoir lying 15 km south-west of Homs and just west of Qattiné, formed by impoundment of the Nahr al-Asi (Orontes river). The banks of the north-eastern half are steep, while the very flat south-western shores, together with the influx of water from snow-melt in spring and subsequent evaporation during the summer, lead to the extent of open water varying from 3,000 ha in summer to 5,300 ha in winter; water depth is 4–8 m. There are some islands, but not suitable for breeding birds. The shores are generally bare mud, and the lake's marginal and aquatic vegetation is very limited; bankside vegetation includes Tamarix, Salix, Nerium, Phragmites and Typha. The surroundings are very open, with no trees of any size but still generally green and verdant. To the south the land is fertile and cultivated, but to the north is a large area of lava flow. Villages are scattered around the lakeside; the main human activity is farming, though there is considerable fishing, plus large factories near Qattiné.
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: See box for key species. More than 20,000 waterfowl occur in winter (e.g. 22,420 of 14 species in January 1993), including (counts mainly from the 1970s) Pelecanus onocrotalus (200), Egretta garzetta (100), Casmerodius albus (70), Anser albifrons (c.600), Anas crecca (4,000, October), A. strepera (c.700), Anas sp. (c.10,000), Netta rufina (250), Aythya ferina (7,000), Fulica atra (9,000) and unidentified waders (c.4,000). Counts of passage birds have included several hundred Chlidonias terns. Pelecanus onocrotalus, Egretta garzetta, Casmerodius albus and Porphyrio porphyrio have been recorded in the breeding season, but they are not likely to breed. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Canis lupus (V; possibly occurs).
Delineation rationale: Water area is highly variable: in the late 1960s, lake area was estimated by Ministry of Agriculture & Agrarian Reform as 6000-8000 ha, with a depth variation of 4-8 m (Luther and Rzóska 1971); in the 1970s, there was a summer 'low' of 30 km2 and a winter 'high' of 53 km2 (expansion was all in the SW sector) (Macfarlane 1978).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 90 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is phosphate and urea pollution from factories near Qattiné, heavy shooting of wildfowl, much disturbance from recreational use (water sports), fishing and generally due to the high human population density. Pressure on fish stocks is very high; Common Carp Cyprinus carpio have been introduced. The lake was proposed as a Project Aqua conservation site by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform in the late 1960s.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Only in the future |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Kumerloeve (1967–1969), Luther and Rzóska (1971), Macfarlane (1978).