Tashgain Tavan Lakes (16354)
Mongolia, Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Tashgain Tavan Lakes
Central coordinates: Latitude: 47.3667, Longitude: 118.4500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 714 to 823
Area of KBA (km2): 520.64454
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is located in Tamsag depression, 30 km southwest of Sumber soum centre. It comprises several small lakes (Shuumar, Bayan, and Bayanburd), which are partly covered by reeds. The lakes are surrounded by steppe. The main land uses are livestock grazing and hay collection, and small areas are cultivated. Steppe fires and livestock grazing damage the reed beds and remaining willow trees. The lakes are drying out because of a warmer climate. In addition, illegal hunting of birds has been reported. Other significant threats to biodiversity at the site comprise oil exploitation and steppe fires.
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: The following Globally Threatened species occur at the site in significant numbers: Swan Goose Anser cygnoides (EN); White-naped Crane Grus vipio (VU); Hooded Crane G. monacha (VU); Great Bustard Otis tarda (VU); and Relict Gull Larus relictus (VU). In addition, Siberian Crane Grus leucogeranus (CR) is a regular passage migrant and summer visitor to this site. The site supports an assemblage of species restricted to the Eurasian steppe and desert biome. The following congregatory waterbirds occur in numbers exceeding 1% of their flyway populations: Great Crested Grebe Podiceps cristatus; Whooper Swan Cygnus cygnus; Swan Goose Anser cygnoides; Common Pochard Aythya ferina; Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo; and Northern Lapwing Vanellus vanellus. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals commonly found at the site include Mongolian Gazelle Procapra gutturosa, Grey Wolf Canis lupus and Raccoon Dog Nyctereutes procyonoides. In winter, thousands of Mongolian Gazelle remain in the area. In 1996, a new fish species to Mongolia, Lefua Lefua costata, was found at Shine Gol. This species was hitherto known only from the Amur drainage of China and Russia.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 33 | |
| Grassland | 33 |