Zheltoranga (19951)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1d
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Zheltoranga
Central coordinates: Latitude: 45.0333, Longitude: 75.3000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 360 to 382
Area of KBA (km2): 9.33516
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area of Asiatic Poplar ('Turanga') in the desert zone, near the Topar stream of the Ily river, several hundred meters from Zheltoranga village. Open forest with different age trees, including many old ones with holes, and a complex of hole-breeding birds. About half of the territory is open, with low grass and patches of scrub. There are some sand dunes.
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: There is a complex of hole-breeding and tree & bush species of the desert zone here. Of the breeding species, the most typical are: Tadorna ferruginea, Falco tinnunculus, Accipiter badius, Milvus migrans, Phasianus colchicus, Columba eversmanni, Otus brucei, Dendrocopus leucopterus, Upupa epops, Coracias garrulus, Sylvia curruca, Phylloscopus trochiloides, Luscinia megarhynchos, Parus bokharensis, Parus cyanus, Lanius phoenicuroides, Corvus monedula, Sturnus vulgaris, Acridotheres tristis, Passer ammodendri, and periodically, Buteo rufinus, Haliaeetus albicilla and Aquila heliaca are observed. Non-bird biodiversity: Main wood species is turanga - Asiatic Poplar (Populus diversifolia). The common bushes are Halimodendron argenteum (about 50%), Tamarix spp. (30% ), Saxaul - Arthrophytum acutifolium (20%). Of grasses the most common is Teresken (Eurotia ceratoides), mainly on the sand hills; cereals are almost absent. The most common and numerous mammal is Citellus fulvus. Of reptiles the commonest are Elaphe dione and several species of Eremias spp.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: All of the territory is used as a grazing area for sheep, goats, cows and horses from the nearest village. The locals collect fire-wood (mainly dry branches). Several field roads and two electric power lines cross the IBA.
Land use: agriculture (100%) | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 10 | |
| Desert | 40 | |
| Forest | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are fires and overgrazing. Due to overgrazing, grass cover is low and young growth of poplars almost absent. There is disturbance to birds from domestic animals and locals.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Temperature extremes | Ongoing |