Bayanbulak and Kaidu River Valley (15446)
China (mainland), Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1d, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2017
National site name: Bayanbulak and Kaidu River Valley
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.7500, Longitude: 84.3333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2300 to 2800
Area of KBA (km2): 2664.96771
Protected area coverage (%): 39.37
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Located in the Urdus Basin, in the central Tian Shan, 200 km north-west of Korla and 290 km south-west of Urumqi. This IBA lies within the second largest grassland region in China, with a total area of 23,835 km2. The Kaidu River flows through the IBA and has formed a large area of high-altitude marshland (at 2,300-2,500 m). The IBA is a breeding and staging area for birds.
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. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Mountains of Central Asia Hotspot (2017). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2016 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: Non-bird biodiversity: Nationally protected animals include Felis manul, Vulpes vulpes, Panthra uncia, Cervus elaphus, Capra ibex, Ovis ammon and Ursus arctos.
Delineation rationale: Boundary digitized by Tris Allinson at Birdlife International using Google Earth. Accuracy difficult to determine.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 | |
| Grassland | 50 |