Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation 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 List | Season (year/s of estimate) | 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 birds | A4iii |
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.
| IBA conservation assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2015 | moderate | high | high |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | habitat | - | |
| State (condition of the trigger species' habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Quantity (% remaining) | Quality (% carrying capacity) | Result |
| Wetlands (inland) | good (>90%) | moderate (70–90%) | moderate |
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Human intrusions and disturbance | happening now | most of population/area (50–90%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | high |
| Pollution | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | rapid decline (>30% over 3 generations) | high |
| Invasive and other problematic species and genes | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | rapid decline (>30% over 3 generations) | low |
| Climate change and severe weather | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | low |
| Natural system modifications | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | moderate decline (10–30% over 3 generations) | low |
| Residential and commercial development | happening now | few individuals/small area (<10%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | low |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Whole area (>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 (management category) | % coverage of IBA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | Biwako | 国定公園 (V) | 100 |
| 1971 | Biwako | 都道府県指定鳥獣保護区 (IV) | 100 |
| 1971 | Biwako | Prefectural Wildlife Protection Area (-) | - |
| 1992 | Hamabunnuma | 都道府県指定鳥獣保護区 (IV) | <1 |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands (inland) | - | Freshwater lakes and pools |
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 23/12/2024.