Key Biodiversity Areas

Oasis and Desert in Hami (15444)
China (mainland), Asia

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Oasis and Desert in Hami
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.9167, Longitude: 93.5000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 300 to 2800
Area of KBA (km2): 174.56266
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Hami is on the southern slopes of the Tian Shan mountains, 500 km east of Urumqi. The IBA has a hot and dry climate, and the habitats include mountains, desert, wetlands and oases.
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: There were records of Panthera tigris, Ursus arctos and Camelus ferus until the Qing Dynasty. Nationally protected animals that survive in the area include Equus hemionus and Gazella subgutturosa.

Habitats


IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Desert50
Artificial - Terrestrial50