JP026
Lake Utonai, Yufutu plain


IBA Justification

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
Tundra Swan Cygnus columbianus LC passage (2003) present A4i
Bean Goose Anser fabalis LC winter (2003) present A4i
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons LC passage (2003) present A4i
Latham's Snipe Gallinago hardwickii NT breeding (2003) present A4i

IBA Conservation

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 poor high low
Whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
no habitat -

State (condition of the trigger species' habitats)
Habitat Quantity (% remaining) Quality (% carrying capacity) Result
Artificial/Terrestrial good (>90%) poor (40–69%) poor

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat Timing Scope Severity Result
Energy production and mining happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) moderate decline (10–30% over 3 gener­ations) high
Invasive and other problematic species and genes happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) moderate decline (10–30% over 3 gener­ations) high
Residential and commercial development happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) moderate decline (10–30% over 3 gener­ations) high
Transportation and service corridors happe­ning now most of popul­ation/area (50–90%) moderate decline (10–30% over 3 gener­ations) high
Human intrusions and disturbance happe­ning now some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) medium
Geological events likely in long term (>4 years) whole of popul­ation/area (>90%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) medium
Climate change and severe weather likely in long term (>4 years) some of popul­ation/area (10–49%) slow decline (1–10% over 3 gener­ations) medium

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Designation Planning Action Result
Little/none of area covered (<10%) A management plan exists, but it is out of date or not compre­hensive Substantive conservation measures are being implemented, but these are not compre­hensive and are limited by resources and capacity low

IBA Protection

Year Protected Area Designation (management category) % coverage of IBA
1982 Utonaiko 国指定鳥獣保護区 (IV) 7

Habitats

Habitat % of IBA Habitat detail
Artificial/Terrestrial - Rice paddies; Forestry and agro-industrial plantations
Wetlands (inland) - Freshwater lakes and pools; Permanent swamps


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lake Utonai, Yufutu plain (Japan). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lake-utonai-yufutu-plain-iba-japan on 26/12/2024.