Volga Delta (1495)
Russia (Central Asian), Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Delta Volgi
Central coordinates: Latitude: 45.7711, Longitude: 48.5497
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -28 to -26
Area of KBA (km2): 10597.62072
Protected area coverage (%): 99.11
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Located in the southern part of Astrakhan region.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Immense numbers of waterbirds breed in the delta, including 56,800_pairs of herons (Ardeidae), cormorants Phalacrocorax, Plegadis falcinellus and Platalea leucorodia alone, although this total has decreased in recent years. During migration, a total of 7_million waterbirds pass through the area in spring, and 5--10_million in the autumn. The number of waterfowl overwintering in the delta depends on the severity of the weather, but can include important numbers of Cygnus cygnus.
Delineation rationale: 2009-08-04: IBA area changed from 1,150,000 ha to 1,059,800 ha (by BL Secretariat, following RBCU spreadsheet of changes that need making). 2014-08-12 (BL Secretariat): centroid coords adjusted to 45°46'16'N 48°32'59'E and site area changed to (or confirmed as) 1059800 ha (rounded), on basis of refined polygon downloaded from Spatial Database on Important Bird Areas of Russia 2014 (© Russian Bird Conservation Union, © Transparent World).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The largest delta in Europe, on the northern Caspian sea coast, with freshwater channels and lakes, extensive coastal shallows, alluvial islands and spits.Sea-level rise is a problem.
Land use: agriculture (10%) | fisheries/aquaculture (75%) | forestry (10%) | hunting (95%) | nature conservation and research (5%) | tourism/recreation (20%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 | |
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Forest | 5 |
Additional information
References: G.M.Rusanov, V.G.Krivenko, N.N.Moshonkin, I.E.Kamennova.
Contributors: The map polygon is provided courtesy of the Spatial Database on Important Bird Areas of Russia 2014 (© Russian Bird Conservation Union, © Transparent World).