Data Zone
The site was identified as important in 1999 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species'):| Species | Current IUCN Red List Category | Season | Year(s) | Population estimate at site | IBA criteria met |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus | LC | non-breeding | 1992 | 2,580 individuals | A4i |
| Pink-backed Pelican Pelecanus rufescens | LC | non-breeding | 1992 | 1,060 individuals | A4i |
| Common Ringed Plover Charadrius hiaticula | LC | winter | 1992 | 13,600 individuals | A4i |
| Kittlitz's Plover Charadrius pecuarius | LC | non-breeding | 1992 | 8,600 individuals | A4i |
| Caspian Plover Charadrius asiaticus | LC | winter | 1992 | 500 individuals | A4i |
| Spur-winged Lapwing Vanellus spinosus | LC | non-breeding | 1992 | 6,930 individuals | A4i |
| Little Stint Calidris minuta | LC | winter | 1992 | 113,000 individuals | A4i |
| A4iii Species group - waterbirds | n/a | non-breeding | 1992 | 100,000-499,999 individuals | A4iii |
The current IUCN Red List category may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (1999).
| IBA conservation assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2022 | unfavourable | very high | low |
| Was the whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | habitat | good | |
| State (condition of the trigger species' habitats) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Habitat detail | Reference area (ha) | Actual area (ha) | Habitat quantity (% remaining) | Habitat quality (carrying capacity) | Result |
| Wetlands (inland) | Saline lakes | 0 | 0 | moderate (70-90%) | moderate (70-90%) | unfavourable |
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | annual & perennial non-timber crops - small-holder farming | likely in long term (beyond 4 years) | some of area/population (10-49%) | slow but significant deterioration | medium |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | livestock farming and ranching (includes forest grazing) - agro-industry grazing, ranching or farmin | happening now | whole area/population (>90%) | slow but significant deterioration | high |
| Biological resource use | fishing & harvesting aquatic resources - intentional use: subsistence/sml scale | happening now | majority/most of area/population (50-90%) | moderate to rapid deterioration | high |
| Climate change and severe weather | drought | happening now | whole area/population (>90%) | very rapid to severe deterioration | very high |
| Energy production and mining | oil and gas drilling | happening now | some of area/population (10-49%) | slow but significant deterioration | medium |
| Human intrusions and disturbance | recreational activities | happening now | majority/most of area/population (50-90%) | moderate to rapid deterioration | high |
| Invasive and other problematic species and genes | invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - named species | happening now | majority/most of area/population (50-90%) | moderate to rapid deterioration | high |
| Pollution | domestic & urban waste water - run-off | happening now | some of area/population (10-49%) | very rapid to severe deterioration | high |
| Pollution | garbage & solid waste | happening now | majority/most of area/population (50-90%) | very rapid to severe deterioration | very high |
| Residential and commercial development | commercial and industrial development | happening now | majority/most of area/population (50-90%) | slow but significant deterioration | high |
| Transportation and service corridors | roads and railroads | happening now | some of area/population (10-49%) | slow but significant deterioration | medium |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Protected-area designation | Management planning | Other conservation action | Result |
| Most of site (50-90%) covered (including the most critical parts for important bird species) | A management plan exists but it is out of date or not comprehensive | Some limited conservation initiatives are in place | low |
| Protected area (PA) | PA designation | PA area (ha) | Relationship of PA with IBA | Overlap of PA with IBA (ha) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Island | National Park | 3,900 | protected area overlaps with site | 3,880 |
| Sibiloi | National Park | 157,392 | protected area overlaps with site | 10,000 |
| Lake Turkana National Parks | World Heritage Site (natural or mixed) | 161,485 | protected area overlaps with site | 161,485 |
| Central Island | National Park | 500 | protected area contained by site | 500 |
| Habitat (IUCN level 1) | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands (inland) | Saline lakes | - |
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| fisheries/aquaculture | - |
| nature conservation and research | - |
| tourism/recreation | - |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lake Turkana. Downloaded from
http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lake-turkana-iba-kenya on 24/09/2023.
