![]() ![]() Biodiversity conservation of the world's lakes: a preliminary framework for identifying priorities. Journal of Great Lakes Research, 21 (3) 307-318.ĭuker, L. The lava flow releases natron a mixture of. Around 7,650 feet tall, this is the only known active volcano that discharges lava rich in carbonatite. A new global lakes database for remote sensing programme studying climatically sensitive large lakes. Now what’s making this lake so rich in alkaline level is a volcano in northeastern Tanzania called Ol Doinyo Lengai, or the ‘Mountain of God’, sitting in the Rift valley, above Lake Natron. Successful Flamingo breeding reported at Lake Natron!īirkett, C., and I. Satellite tracing lesser flamingos in East Africa ![]() Ramsar information sheet on Lake Natron Basin This small fish lives on the edges of the hot spring inlets, where the water is between 36 and 40 degrees C.īeyond boundaries: regional overview of transboundary natural resource management in Eastern Africa (2001)īiodiversity Conservation of the World's Lakes: A Preliminary Framework for Identifying PrioritiesĮarth Observatory News Room: new images of Lake NatronĮast African halophytics: WWF terrestrial ecoregions The only fish found in abundance in the lake is the white-lipped or alkaline tilapia ( Oreochromis alcalicus), which appears to be endemic to saline Rift Valley lakes. The lake also provides support for 100,000 other waterbirds, many of which are Palearctic migrants. Lake Natron is the only regular breeding area for Lesser Flamingos in East Africa, with approximately 2.5 million individuals. Ongoing long term climatci desiccation also threatens the lake. Members of the Masai tribe practice extensive semi-nomadic pastoralism within the Ramsar site at Lake Natron.Ī proposed hydropower plant for the Ewaso Ngiro River in Kenya and planned soda ash exploitation in Lake Natron itself are potential threats. Sodium bicarbonate concentrations are crucial for the abundance of blue-green algae, which is food for the lesser flamingo. Lake Natron is a closed drainage system and highly alkaline, as freshwater evaporates and leaves high salt concentrations. In fact, the water of Lake Natron is so rich in dissolved sodium carbonate that it often feels viscous to touch. The lake is also fed by hot mineral-laden springs that bubble up on the periphery of the lake. The Southern Ewaso Ng’iro River is the main tributary into Lake Natron. Large parts of the Mau forest, which are home to the Lake Natron headwaters, are believed to be targeted.Īfrica Lake Biodiversity Conservation Priorities 2003 In early 2002 the Kenyan government announced its intention to deforest close to 70,000 hectares of government-owned land. It is surrounded by escarpments and volcanic mountains, one of which is active. The uniqueness of lake Natron since its discovery has prompted the Tanzanian government to upgrade it to the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance in the year 2001.Lake Natron is a soda lake in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa. But sometimes the lake also becomes inhospitable to these flamingos when the alkalinity of the water increases and if they come in direct contact with the water in that period. The phenomenon of gathering flamingos in large numbers is often referred to as the “pink parade” by biologists. Hence, lesser flamingos have a pinkish hue in their body. It is also said that Spirulina, blue-green algae with red pigments present in this lake, passes on their pigments to these flamingos that feed on these algae and raise their young ones there. The most caustic lake on the planet, its severely alkaline waters are a toxic mix of. The flamingos’ nests are built on small islands, which form in the lake during the dry season. Lake Natron is proof that one creatures poison is anothers salvation. It is believed to be in the east African rift valley. Arusha region is one of the border regions that separate Tanzania from its neighbor country, Kenya. It is located on one of the big cities in the country, Arusha region. The lake being shallow is an ideal breeding ground for more than 2 million Lesser Flamingos (Phoenicopterus minor). Facts About Lake Natron : Lake Natron is the salty or alkaline lake located on the northern part of Tanzania, east Africa. Moreover, the lake derives its vermillion shade of red and pink from a few species of halophiles and thermophiles that are an integral part of this lake. ![]() The alkaline tilapia, a very rare fish, lives along the edges of the hot spring inlets. In spite of its deadly nature, the lake is known to be hospitable to a few of the world’s endemic species.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |