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.
Lake Natron is a soda lake in the Great Rift Valley of East Africa.
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