Any development projects would require well-designed management and mitigation techniques, especially with the use and management of the limited fresh water resources. It is upon this fragile ecotone along the edges of the lake that the human population as well as the biological diversity depends. O.alcalicus, like the majority of the lakes resident and migratory biological diversity, is concentrated on the margins of the lake where spring water or seasonal river inflow creates a unique but fragile environment. For example, the fish species Oreochromis alcalicus appears to be endemic to (only occurs within) Lake Natron and Kenya’s Lake Magadi. Whilst Lake Natron is not aquatically diverse, is has some very ecologically dependant species. The water is highly saline (ph 10) and most of the Lake an extremely inhospitable environment. Lake Natron covers an area of 85,000ha, the lake basin is approximately 65 km long although on average only 20% of this is ever covered by water. Given this recent attention, TNRF member, Marc Baker of Ecological Initiatives, provides an overview of Lake Natron, its diversity, Lesser Flamingos and what a soda ash factory could mean for this fragile environment.

In early April, the Daily News reported that the government wishes to fast track the plans for a soda ash factory at Lake Natron ( ).

Usually Lake Natron will be visited after Lake Manyara National Park.Lake Natron, Flamingos and the Proposed Soda Ash Factory Lake Natron is also well connected other National parks, such as: Lake Manyara, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in the south and the Northern Serengeti National Park in the west. Tens of thousands of other birds can be spotted near the lake, making Lake Natron a prime destination for bird lovers in Africa. Lake Natron is also home to some endemic algae, invertebrates and other birds. Some fish species (such as tilapia) can survive in the slightly less salty water near the shore. Larger flamingos also breed in the Wadden Sea. Cyanobacteria are increasing with the salinity of the water, and the lake can carry more nests. Every year, more than two million flamingos come here to lay their eggs and chicks hatch between September and April. It therefore provides a good barrier against predators trying to reach nests on seasonal evaporation islands. Lake Natron, the perfect breeding place for Flamingosįlamingos find a safe breeding ground at Lake Natron, since most other animals find its caustic environment and high temperature of the lake (up to 60☌) as well as its high salinity inhospitable. Salt-loving microorganisms living there are coloring the alkali salt crust on the surface of the lake is red or pink. The red pigment in those cyano bacteria produces the deep red colors of the lake’s waters and the orange colors in the shallow areas. Such halophilic organisms include some cyano bacteria that, like plants, produce their own food through photosynthesis. Special bacteria and blue algae thrive in this environment and form an ideal breeding ground for the life of birds. The alkalinity of the lake can reach a pH level of more than 12. The temperatures at the lake are often over 40 ° C.Īs the fresh water evaporates in the lake, water with high concentrations of salt minerals such as sodium and trona remains. The area receives irregular seasonal rainfall, mainly between December and May. The lake is 57 kilometers long and 22 kilometers wide.

Lake Natron is quite shallow, less than three meters deep, and varies in width depending on its water level. The lake lays at the foot of the Ol Doinyo Lengai, an active volcano. It is located in the Gregory Rift, the eastern branch of the East African Rift. Lake Natron is a salt or soda lake not far from Lake Manyara in northern Tanzania.

Flamingo natron lake