Akhtubinsk wetland (1641)
Russia (Central Asian), Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Akhtubinskoye Poozer'ye
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.5908, Longitude: 45.0461
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -10 to 3
Area of KBA (km2): 1242.42771
Protected area coverage (%): 11.97
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A very interesting area located close to the regional centre of Volgograd. The area includes the northern part of Volga-Akhtuba watershed and crosses steppe and semi-desert zones (although not including such habitats) from Volgograd to the Volga delta and Caspian Sea in the south.Typical intrazonal landscape.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: Many waders, geese, ducks, raptors, Tetrax tetrax and Otis tarda can also be seen here on migration, but specific counts are needed (in order to confirm criteria and thresholds). In total 82 species breed in the IBA, most of which are included in various Red data books.
Delineation rationale: 2009-08-11: IBA area changed from 138,000ha to 124,250 ha (by BL Secretariat, following RBCU spreadsheet of changes that need making). 2014-08-12 (BL Secretariat): centroid coords adjusted to 48°35'27'N 45°2'46'E and site area changed to (or confirmed as) 124250 ha (rounded), on basis of refined polygon downloaded from Spatial Database on Important Bird Areas of Russia 2014 (© Russian Bird Conservation Union, © Transparent World).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: As the whole of the Volga region has a huge potential for oil there is currently a very high threat from oil exploration.
Land use: agriculture (13%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | forestry (14%) | hunting (50%) | nature conservation and research (8%) | not utilised (40%) | tourism/recreation (30%) | water management (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 14 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 16 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 40 | |
| Grassland | 30 |
Additional information
References: V.F.Chernobay, E.N.Sokhina
Contributors: The map polygon is provided courtesy of the Spatial Database on Important Bird Areas of Russia 2014 (© Russian Bird Conservation Union, © Transparent World).