Ebi Nur and Kuytun River (15433)
China (mainland), Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Ebi Nur and Kuytun River
Central coordinates: Latitude: 44.8833, Longitude: 82.9167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 195 to 300
Area of KBA (km2): 1555.1365
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Ebi Nur is located in the northern part of the Tian Shan mountains, at the south-western tip of Junggar Basin, 30 km north of Jinghe County, 40 km east of Bole (Bortala) City and 400 km west of Urumqi. There are three rivers flowing into this isolated salt lake. It is the second largest lake in Xinjiang but also quite shallow, with an average depth of 2-3 m, meaning that drought or irrigation could damage the ecosystem and the lake might dry up (like Lop Nor). The IBA is an important stop-over site for migratory birds, and the reedbeds and marshes in the south are important breeding habitats for birds.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: Non-bird biodiversity: 385 species of arid-zone plants have been recorded in the area, and 117 species of animals including 41 nationally protected species (categories one and two).
Delineation rationale: Boundary digitized by Tris Allinson at Birdlife International using Google Earth. Accuracy probably OK.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |