Chokpak Pass (19956)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2017
National site name: Chokpak Pass
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.5167, Longitude: 70.6333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1000 to 1200
Area of KBA (km2): 101.6131
Protected area coverage (%): 0.21
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Chokpak Pass is situated in the Western Tien Shan, between Zabaglytau (Talassky Alatau) and Boroldai (Karatau) ridges. Maximum altitudes of Zabaglytau are 2700-2900 m a.s.l., and Boroldai - 1500-1700 m a.s.l. The pass is the narrowest place between the Talassky Alatau and Karatau, the distance between their slopes being no more than 7-9 km. It is also the highest point of the inter-mountain valley. There is the densely populated Arys river valley to the west and the Dzyvalinsky valley to the east. At the pass, there are Shokpak-Baba (Vysokoe), Shokpak-Ata (Kremenevka) and Shokpak villages. Relatively plain steppe plots are used as arable land (90%) for cereals, vegetables, lucerne, etc. Original bunchgrass steppe covers much of the slopes of the smaller peaks. Forest plantations occur as lines along the borders of fields and roads.
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. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Mountains of Central Asia Hotspot (2018). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2016 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: 269 bird species of 17 orders were registered at Chokpak Pass during passage. Migration intensity depends mainly of weather conditions. The main groups are passerines and raptors. Several millions of birds migrate here. For example, 15,700 birds of prey were counted between 9-14 September 2003. The maximum intensity of their passage was up to 2,000 birds per hour. In autumn 1999, more than 100,000 Corvidae were observed during 2 hours.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: 90% is used for agriculture (arable), 5% for railways, 5% is used by the Chokpak Ringing Station.
Land use: agriculture (90%) | nature conservation and research (5%) | urban/industrial/transport (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 | |
| Shrubland | 1 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 93 |
Threats
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: 1. Gavrilov, E.I. and Gistzov, A.P. (1985) Seasonal migration of birds at foothills of Western Tien Shan Alma-Ata (in Russian). 2. Gavrilov, E.I. (1999) Monitoring of number of some species of birds of prey during autumn passage at foothills of Western Tien Shan. Selevinia, 1996-1997: 134-142 (in Russian with English summary).