Darkhad Depression (16339)
Mongolia, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Darkhad Depression
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.0167, Longitude: 99.4500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1538 to 1970
Area of KBA (km2): 1946.58675
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This beautiful depression in northern Mongolia contains a group of freshwater lakes, situated in Ulaan Uul, Renchinlkhumbe and Tsagaan Nuur soums of Khovsgol aimag. The depression is about 150 km long and 40 km wide, and is surrounded by high mountains. The depression receives water from many montane rivers, such as the Bagtakh, Khug, Ar Khoridol, Arsai, Sharga, Tengis and Shishkhed Rivers, and is thus rich in wetlands and lakes. These are surrounded by diverse habitats, including dry steppe, boreal forest (taiga) and alpine vegetation. The land is used as pasture for livestock and for preparing fodder. The area is suitable for recreation and ecotourism development.
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: Globally Threatened species found at the site are Pallas’s Fish-eagle Haliaeetus leucoryphus (VU), Greater Spotted Eagle Aquila clanga (VU), Saker Falcon Falco cherrug (EN), Lesser Kestrel F. naumanni (VU) and Great Bustard Otis tarda (VU). Also occurring are several species listed in the Red Data Book of Mongolia, such as Black Stork Ciconia nigra, Osprey Pandion haliaetus, Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus, Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus and White Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia. The following congregatory waterbird species occur in concentrations equivalent to at least 1% of their flyway populations: Bar-headed Goose Anser indicus, Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea, Gadwall Anas strepera and Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangula. The site supports an assemblage of species restricted to the Eurasian steppe and desert biome, including Daurian Partridge Perdix dauurica, Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis, Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo, Great Bustard and Pied Wheatear Oenanthe pleschanka. Non-bird biodiversity: The site is not known to have special signifi cance for species other than birds.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 33 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 33 | |
| Forest | 33 |