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close| Location | Turkey, Ardahan |
| Central coordinates | 43o 13.00' East 41o 12.00' North |
| IBA criteria | A1, A4i, B1i, B2 |
| Area | 2,386 ha |
| Altitude | 1,798 m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2004 |
Ornithological information One of three Turkish Pelecanus onocrotalus breeding sites and one of seven P. crispus breeding sites. Melanitta fusca is also thought to breed.
Site description A shallow, stream-fed, soda-rich lake situated on the high plateau of the Turkish-Georgian border zone. About 1,400 of the lake's 2,700 ha lie within Turkey, and this area includes 12 uninhabited and sparsely vegetated islands. Arable fields and grazing land adjoin the lake; there are a few small reedbeds (Phragmites). Access is highly restricted for military reasons, and human disturbance is therefore minimal. Fishing is solely land-based.
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea | non-breeding | 1982 | 210-500 individuals | - | A4i, B1i | Least Concern |
| Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus | breeding | - | 50 breeding pairs | - | B2 | Least Concern |
| Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus | breeding | - | 20 breeding pairs | - | A1, A4i, B1i, B2 | Vulnerable |
| Yellow-legged Gull Larus michahellis | breeding | 1995 | 700 breeding pairs | - | A4i, B1i | Least Concern |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands (inland) | Standing freshwater | 100% |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| not utilised | 100% |
Management considerations Plans exist to open the Aktaþ border post in order to improve trade and transport between the former USSR states and Turkey. This would increase traffic north of the lake.
Protection status National None International None
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Aktaş Lake. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
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