Aksayqin Hu and alpine grassland (15464)
China (mainland), Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Aksayqin Hu and alpine grassland
Central coordinates: Latitude: 35.3667, Longitude: 79.9333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 4963 to 6000
Area of KBA (km2): 525.375
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Located at the north-western tip of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, near to the Chinese borders with India and Pakistan. Aksayqin Hu is a large salt lake between the Kunlun Shan and Karakorum Shan mountains, with an area of 10,500 ha, which is fed by snowmelt and glaciers. The habitats in the IBA include grassland and salt desert around the lake shores.
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: Animals include Canis lupus, Vulpes vulpes, Panthra uncia, Pantholops hodgsoni, Ursus arctos, Marmota himalayana, Ovis ammon, Equus kiang and Bos mutus.
Delineation rationale: Polygon provided by Wendall – source unknown. Accuracy difficult to determine.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 50 | |
| Grassland | 50 |