Irgiz-Turgay Lakes (19947)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c, A1d, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2008
National site name: Irgiz-Turgay Lakes
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.6667, Longitude: 62.1333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 75 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 3535.04981
Protected area coverage (%): 96.77
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A series of lakes in the southern part of the Turgay depression, including the rivers Irgyz, Turgay, Ulkayak which dry up in summer. The surrounding landscapes are northern deserts and semideserts with typical vegetation. The IBA is situated 70 km to the east of Irgyz town. The biggest lakes are Kyzylkol, Ayrkol, Sholakkol, Karmakkol, Maikol, Aidarkol and Aikol.
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.
Additional biodiversity: 234 bird species, including more than 100 waterbird species, have been recorded. 30 species are included in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan. The area is on the Aral-Ishym section of the Siberian-Middle Asia flyway of waterbirds (2-3 million birds fly over in spring and autumn). The total number of waterbirds counted/estimated to be present in the IBA at one time is up to 250,000 individuals. Non-bird biodiversity: About 10 species of valuable fishes. Game species of mammals: wild boar, saiga, ondatra.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (20%) | fisheries/aquaculture (35%) | hunting (30%) | not utilised (10%) | tourism/recreation | water management (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 20 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 60 | |
| Grassland | 15 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Auezov, E.M., and Khrokov, V.V. (1977) Spring passage of birds in Turgai low-stream. Migration of birds in Asia. Novosibirsk: 115-121 in Russian). Auezov, E.M., Khrokov, V.V. and Berezovskiy, V.G. (1978) New data on ornithofauna of Turgai low-stream. Migration of birds in Asia. Tashkent: 151-153 (in Russian). Auezov, E.M., Khrokov, V.V. and Berezovskiy, V.G. (1986) Seasonal migration of swans at Turgai low-stream. Phenological research in state zapovedniks. Alma-Ata: 113-117 (in Russian). Auezov, E.M., Khrokov, V.V. and Berezovskiy, V.G. (1987) Passage of swans at Turgai low-stream. Ecology and migrations of swans in USSR. Moscow: 116-118 (in Russian). Khrokov, V.V. (1988) Low-stream of Turgai - new place of breeding of Rook. Ornithology, 23: 224-225 (in Russian). Khrokov, V.V., Auezov, E.M., Bucketed, M.E., and Grace, A.V. (1990) New and rare birds of south of Turgai depression. Ornithology, 24: 164-165 (in Russian).