Current view: Text account
Site description (2007 baseline):
Site location and context
Akanko and Kussharoko lakes are located in the eastern side of Hokkaido. These areas and surrounding forest zones are on the Akan caldera (major axis is 24 km, minor is 13 km) formed by volcanic activities. Lake Akanko is about 13.0 km2. At the lakeside, Phragmites australis grow except on the eastern side where eruptions from Mt Oakandake directly flow out. At the bottom of the lake the community of globally rare Aegagropila linnaei grows. More than 10 rivers flow into this lake, maintaining the quantity of water all through the year. Surroundings of the lakes are covered with deciduous broadleaf forests, including subarctic coniferous Picea jezoensis, Abies sachalinensis, Cercidphyllum japonicum trees and Tilia japonica. Most of these forests consist of restored secondary forests, though some parts are primary forests.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Akan, Kussharo (Japan). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/akan-kussharo-iba-japan on 23/12/2024.
