Big Almaty Gorge (19948)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Big Almaty Gorge
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.0667, Longitude: 76.9833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1500 to 4200
Area of KBA (km2): 1136.60018
Protected area coverage (%): 98.89
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The most typical and highest biodiversity central part of the northern slope of the Zailiyskiy Alatau ridge (Northern Tian Shan), 20 km to the south of Almaty (largest city of Kazakhstan). The IBA includes the whole of the Big Almaty Gorge with smaller gorges Alma-Arasan, Kumbel, Chukur (river basin of the Big Almatinka). In the gorge there are well developed spruce forest belts (with Picea schrenkiana), rocks in nival, alpine and sub-alpine belts, alpine and sub-alpine meadows, juniper stands, glaciers, and the high-mountain Big Almaty Lake (2500 m a.s.l.). The area is well-known among birdwatchers: several organized groups visit every year.
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: 140 bird species have been registered, including 48 residents (with local movements in winter), 48 breeding migrants and 44 observed on passage or wintering. Eight of the breeding species (Gyps himalayensis, Gypaetus barbatus, Hieraaetus pennatus, Aquila chrysaetus, Falco pelegrinoides, Bubo bubo, Myophonus caeruleus, Carpodacus rubicilla) and four of the passage species (Aquila nipalensis, Aquila heliaca, Neophron percnopterus, Anthropoides virgo) are included in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan. The gorge is the only known breeding site in the world for Carpodacus puniceus, and supports breeding Scolopax rusticola, Zoothera dauma and Phoenicurus phoenicurus all very rare in the Tien Shan. Non-bird biodiversity: Of large mammals, Siberian Ibex (Capra sibirica) and Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) are present. Additionally, the very rare Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia) has also been recorded. Marmota baibacina, Ochotona rutila, Martes foina and Mustela erminea are common, as well as a number of species of rodents. Two species of snakes (Agkistrodon halis, Elaphe dione) and one lizard (Ablepharus alaicus) inhabit here. About 1000 plant species, inluding Picea schrenkiana, Malus siversi, Betula tianschanica, Lonicera spp., Rosa spp., Berberis spp., Juniperus spp. are also present.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Recreation (Kazakhstan's largest city - Almaty - is 20 km away), pasture (moderate scale), research and nature protection, forestry etc.
Land use: agriculture (5%) | forestry (20%) | nature conservation and research (100%) | rangeland/pastureland (15%) | tourism/recreation (50%) | urban/industrial/transport (10%) | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 19 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 | |
| Introduced Vegetation | 1 | |
| Grassland | 39 | |
| Shrubland | 29 | |
| Forest | 10 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 1 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Intensive recreation, disturbance to birds, and in the lower part of the gorge building construction. In recent years, the illegal trapping of some Passerines (Calliope pectoralis, Myophonus caeruleus, Leptopoecile sophiae et al.) for sale has been recorded.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Dams (size unknown) | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Geological events | Avalanches/landslides | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Renewable energy | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Gubin, B.M., Belyalov, O.V. and Sklyarenko, S.L. (1991) [Ibis-bill in Big Almaty Gorge (Zailiyskiy Alatau)]. Rare birds and mammals of Kazakhstan. Alma-Ata: 189-192. (in Russian).Belyalov, O. and Kovshar, V. (compilers) (2003) [Kazakhstan Ornithological Bulletin 2002]. Almaty. (in Russian).Belyalov, O. and Kovshar, V. (compilers) (2004) [Kazakhstan Ornithological Bulletin 2003]. Almaty. (in Russian).Kovshar, A.F. (1977). [Sub-high-mountain of Tien Shan as transiting belt from forest ornithocomplexes to high-mountain them]. Bulletin of AS of KSSR, 9: 62-69 (in Russian).Kovshar, A.F. (1977) [Polycyclic breeding of passerine birds in sub-high-mountain of Tien Shan]. Zoological Journal, 7: 1071-1076. (in Russian).Kovshar, A.F. (1979) [Songbirds in sub-high-mountain of Tien Shan (studies of summer life of common species)]. Alma-Ata. (in Russian).Kovshar, A.F. (1981) [Peculiarity of breeding of birds in sub-high-mountain]. Almaty. (in Russian).Kovshar, A.F. (1989) [Ibis-bill in Zailiyskiy Alatau]. Ecological aspects of study, practical use and protection of birds in mountain ecosystems. Frunze: 44-46. (in Russian).Kovshar, A.F., Zuiko, B.P., Pfeffer, R.G. and Belyalov, O.V. (1978) [Some ornithological findings in Zailiyskiy Alatau]. Biology of birds in Kazakhstan. Alma-Ata: 115-119. (in Russian).Kovshar, A.F., Levin, A.S. and Gubin, B.M. (1982) [Finding of nests of Brandt's Rose Finch in Tien Shan]. Bulletin of Zoology, 5: 42-46. (in Russian).Kovshar, A.F. and Lopatin, V.V. (1983) [Terms of seasonal migrations of birds in sub-high-mountain of Zailiyskiy Alatau]. Migration of birds in Asia, 8. Alma-Ata: 66-76. (in Russian).Neufeldt, I.A., Leonovich, V.V. and Malyshevskiy, R.I. (1978) [Notes on birds of surrounding of Big Almaty Lake]. Systematic, morphology and biology of birds. Proceedings of ZIN AS USSR, 68. Leningrad: 228-267. (in Russian).Shnitnikov, V.N. (1948) [Birds of Semirechie]. Moscow-Leningrad. (in Russian).Shtegman, B.K. (1954) [On birds of high-mountain zone of Zailiyskiy Alatau]. Proceedings of Leningrad Society of Natural Scientists , Branch of Zoology, v.72, 4: 255-275. (in Russian).