• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

The site was identified as important in 2004 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:

Species	Red List1	Season	Year(s)	Size	IBA criteria
Common Pochard Aythya ferina	VU	winter	2003	present	A4i
Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula	LC	winter	2003	present	A4i
Falcated Duck Mareca falcata	LC	winter	2003	present	A4i
Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope	LC	winter	2003	present	A4i
A4iii Species group - waterbirds	n/a	winter	2003	min 20,000 individuals	A4iii

1. The current IUCN Red List category. The category at the time of the IBA criteria assessment (2004) may differ.

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2004. The most recent assessment (2015) is shown below.

State (condition of the trigger species' habitats)
Habitat	Quantity (% remaining)	Quality (% carrying capacity)	Result
Wetlands (inland)	good (> 90%)	moderate (70-90%)	near favourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat	Timing	Scope	Severity	Result
Pollution	happening now	some of area/population (10-49%)	very rapid to severe deterioration	high
Human intrusions and disturbance	happening now	majority/most of area/population (50-90%)	slow but significant deterioration	high
Invasive and other problematic species and genes	happening now	small area/few individuals (<10%)	very rapid to severe deterioration	low
Climate change and severe weather	happening now	small area/few individuals (<10%)	moderate to rapid deterioration	low
Natural system modifications	happening now	small area/few individuals (<10%)	moderate to rapid deterioration	low
Residential and commercial development	happening now	small area/few individuals (<10%)	slow but significant deterioration	low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected areas	Management plan	Other action	Result
Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation	A comprehensive and appropriate management plan exists that aims to maintain or improve the populations of qualifying bird species	The conservation measures needed for the site are being comprehensively and effectively implemented	high

Year	Protected Area	Designation	% overlap with IBA
1950	Biwako	国定公園	100
1971	Biwako	都道府県指定鳥獣保護区	100
1971	Biwako	Prefectural Wildlife Protection Area	-
1992	Hamabunnuma	都道府県指定鳥獣保護区	<1
1993	Biwa-ko	Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance	91

Habitat1	Habitat detail	% of IBA
Wetlands (inland)	Freshwater lakes and pools	-

1. IUCN Habitat classification.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lake Biwako (Japan). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lake-biwako-iba-japan on 22/11/2024.