Aksu-Dzhabagly State Nature Reserve (19949)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2008
National site name: Aksu-Dzhabagly State Nature Reserve
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.3333, Longitude: 70.5833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1300 to 4200
Area of KBA (km2): 1217.63468
Protected area coverage (%): 99.00
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This is a mountain area on the borders of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan. The area includes the western part of the Talasskiy Alatau ridge and adjoining parts of the Ugamskiy ridge. Typical landscapes have a relief of deep valleys and canyons, the slopes covered with stands of juniper (both tree- and bush form). On the terraces there are high-grass dry meadows and high-mountain meadows. The highest peaks at the headwaters of the Aksu and Dzhabagly rivers are covered with glaciers and snow fields. This is the most representative area for Western Tien Shan landscapes because during the 70 years that the site has been a Zapovednik its ecosystems have become completely natural.
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: 240 bird species have been recorded here, including 125 breeding species. This represents 89.6% of the number of breeding species of all the Western Tien Shan. In addition to the globally threatened species, there are 9 species from the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan: Ciconia nigra, Falco pelegrinoides, Neophron percnopterus, Gypaetus barbatus, Aquila chrysaetos, Hieraeetus pennatus, Circaetus gallicus, Bubo bubo and Myophonus caeruleus. Population sizes are thought to be low, but not known definitely. 115 species (including protected species such as Falco cherrug, Falco peregrinus, Grus grus and Grus virgo) visit the IBA during migration or in winter, staying for up to 4-5 months. Non-bird biodiversity: 54 species of mammals, 11 reptiles, 2 amphibians, 2 fishes have been recorded. 2,124 species of invertebrates have been found but their total number is supected to be around 5,500 species (Beskokotov, 1996). The most important mammals are Snow Leopard (Uncia uncia), Menzbir's Marmot (Marmota menzbieri), mountain sheep (Ovis ammon karelini), bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus), all included in the national Red Data Book. There is one rare species of reptiles - Ophisaurus apodus. Of insects, there are many endemics of the Tien Shan and Western Tien Shan. For example, of the 186 species (64 genus) of Carabidae beetles recorded, 114 species (62%) are endemics of Western Tien Shan and Middle Asia. The flora includes 1,679 species, about 10% of them are endemics. About 30 plant species are included in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan, the most important being Prenanthes mira, Tulipa dubia, Thesium minkwitzianum, Malus nezdwetzkiana, Sesli setiferum, Scutellaria flabellaria, Ugamia angrenica and Dryopteris mindshelkensis (Ivaschenko, 1996).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: In the past, before establishment of the Zapovednik, the territory was used for grazing and the juniper forests for fire-wood. Sometimes and on a smaller scale these types of use occurred during the last 50 years (the last mass use of the area for grazing was in winter 1961). Now the territory is used for nature protection and research (closed reserved area of highest status - 'Zapovednik'), and for ecological tourism/recreation (without especially designated plots).
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%) | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 6 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 3 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 3 | |
| Other | 3 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 27 | |
| Shrubland | 25 | |
| Grassland | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: 1. Illegal shooting of big mammals - wild boar, bear, ibex, mountain sheep, roe deer. 2. Industrial pollution from factories in Shimkent and Taraz cities, especially as the result of accidents. 3. Disturbance of birds due to increasing tourism/recreation 4. Fires 5. Road construction projects through the reserve.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Suppression in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Beskokotov, Y.A. (1996) Cadastre of insects of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly. Proceedings of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly, issue 7. Almaty: 103-194. (in Russian). Gavrilov, E.I., and Gistzov, A.P. (1985) Seasonal migrations of birds at foothills of Western Tien Shan Alma-Ata. (in Russian). Gubin, B.M. (1976) Passage of birds in Talasskyi Alatau (Western Tien Shan). Migration of birds in Asia. Alma-Ata: 49-69. (in Russian). Gubin, B.M. (1989) Additions to ornithofauna of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly. Ecological aspects of study, use and protection of birds in mountain ecosystems. Frunze: 23-25. (in Russian). Gubin, B.M. (1989) About new and rare-breeding birds in Talasskyi Alatau (Western Tien Shan). Ecological aspects of study, use and protection of birds in mountain ecosystems. Frunze: 25-27. (in Russian). Ivaschenko, A.A. (1996) About representation of flora and vegetation of Aksu-Dzhabagly for Western Tien Shan. Proceedings of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly, issue 7. Almaty: 50-61. (in Russian). Ivaschenko, A.A. and Chalikova, E.S. (1991) About death of juniper forest in Chuuldak gorge due to chemical pollution. Pers. comm. Kovshar, A.F. (1964) The birds of high-mountains of western part of Talasskyi Alatau (Tien Shan). Game birds of Kazakhstan. (Proceedings of Institute of Zoology, vol. 24). Alma-Ata: 121-141. (in Russian). Kovshar, A.F. (1966) The birds of Talasskyi Alatau. Alma-Ata. (in Russian). Kovshar, A.F. (1996) About anthropogenic influence on nature complexes of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly (by pages of Chronicle of Nature). Proceedings of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly, issue 7. Almaty: 32-49. (in Russian). Kovshar, A.F. and Ivaschenko, A.A. (1982) Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly. Alma-Ata. (in Russian). Kovshar, A.F. and Chalikova, E.S. (1992) Multi-years changing of fauna and population of birds of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly. Ornithological research in zapovedniks. Problems of protected areas. Moscow: 28-44. (in Russian). Kovshar, A.F. and Yanushko, P.A. (1965) New data on mammals of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly. Proceedings of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly, issue 2. Alma-Ata: 203-236. (in Russian). Kolbintzev, V.G. (1990) The role of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly in conservation of genetic foundation of rare vertebrate animals. Zapovedniks of USSR, their present and future. Novgorod. Part 3: 254-256. (in Russian). Kolbintzev, V.G. (1995). New finding of Bar-tailed Tree-creeper in south Kazakhstan. Selevinia, 3: 44. (in Russian). Kolbintzev, V.G. (1999) About fauna of birds of western part of Talasskyi Alatau (Southern Kazakhstan). Problems of conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity of wildlife of Kazakhstan. Almaty: 73-74. (in Russian). Red Data Book of Kazakhstan (1996). Ed.3. Vol.1. Animals. Eds. A.Kovshar. Almaty. (in Russian with English summaries). Red Data Book of Kazakh SSR (1981). Part 2. Plants. Eds. B.Bykov. Alma-Ata. (in Russian). Monitoring of biological diversity of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly (2002) Tethys Biodiversity Research. Vol. 1. Eds. A.Kovshar. Almaty: 1-183. Nekhaenko, G.N. and Chalikova, E.S. (1996) Dynamics of territory and forest found in Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly. Proceedings of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly, issue 7. Almaty: 18-31. (in Russian). Chalikova, E.S. (1989) About summer population of birds of juniper forests of Talasskyi Alatau. Ecological aspects of study, use and protection of birds in mountain ecosystems. Frunze: 103. (in Russian). Chupakhin, V.M. (1964) Physical geography of Tien Shan. Alma-Ata. (in Russian). Shevchenko, V.V. (1948) The birds of State Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly. Proceedings of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly, issue 1. Alma-Ata: 36-70. (in Russian). Shulpin, L.M. (1948) Materials on mammals and reptiles of Talasskyi Alatau. Bulletin of AS of KazSSR, series zool., issue 7. (in Russian). Shulpin, L.M. (1953) Materials on fauna of birds of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly (Talasskyi Alatau). Proceedings of Institute of Zoology of AS of KazSSR, vol.2: 53-79. (in Russian). Shulpin, L.M. (1956) Materials on fauna of birds of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly (Talasskyi Alatau). Proceedings of Institute of Zoology of AS of KazSSR, vol.6: 158-193. (in Russian). Shulpin, L.M. (1961) Materials on fauna of birds of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly (Talasskyi Alatau). Proceedings of Institute of Zoology of AS of KazSSR, vol. 15: 147-160. (in Russian). Shulpin, L.M. (1965) Materials on fauna of birds of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly (Talasskyi Alatau). Proceedings of Zapovednik Aksu-Dzhabagly, issue 2: 160-200. (in Russian).