Bashkyzylsay Unit of the Chatkal Mountains Biosphere Reserve (20587)
Uzbekistan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Bashkyzylsay Unit of the Chatkal Mountains Biosphere Reserve
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.2042, Longitude: 69.8928
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1100 to 3262
Area of KBA (km2): 107.664
Protected area coverage (%): 99.41
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: South-west spurs of Chatkal ridge, upper reaches of Kyzylsay river basin, inflow of Ahangaransay river.
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: Ornithological fauna includes 134 species of birds, including 110 nesting (Lanovenko, 1997). Ornithological complex of typical mountains and alpine and high mountains including: Aegypius monachus, Gyps fulvus, Aquila chrysaetos, Falco tinnunculus, Alectoris chukar, Columba palumbus, Otus scops, Merops apiaster, Anthus spinoletta, Motacilla cinerea, Phoenicurus ochruros, Oenanthe pleschanka, Turdus viscivorus, Phylloscopus griseolus, Parus bokharensis, Oriolus oriolus, Lanius minor, Corvus corone, Emberiza bruniceps. The introduced Acritheres tristis penetrates into the IBA’s territory from bordering shepherds' camps. Currently the species only breeds in the surrounding farmland. The following species of birds from the National Red Book also occur: Ciconia nigra, Gypaetus barbatus, Gyps himalayensis, Gyps fulvus, Circaetus gallicus, Aquila chrysaetos, Hieraaetus pennatus, Falco pelegrinoides. IUCN Red List species are: Aegypius monachus, Falco naumanni, Falco cherrug (all breeding) and Circus macrourus and Aquila clanga (passage). Non-bird biodiversity: The fauna includes 2 species of amphibian, 10 species of reptile, 31 species of mammal and 3 species of fish. Of the fish, Cottus jaxartensis is included in the National Red Book, as are the mammals - Rhinolophus hipposideros, Tadarida teniotis and Ursus arctos. IUCN Red List mammals are Marmota menzbieri and Uncia uncia. The flora includes 1,036 species of vascular plants. Widely distributed are juniper, poplar and apple forests, wheat and prickly grasses.
Delineation rationale: Coordinates and area of this IBA were calculated with ArcGIS.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The basic habitats are flood plain forests, nut and fruit forests, juniper forests, mid-altitude steppe slopes, alpine mountain steppe, alpine meadows, rocks and taluses.
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 20 | |
| Forest | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 37 | |
| Grassland | 17 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: On the western border are cattle tracks leading to alpine pastures. On the northern border there are often cases of illegal intrusions by shepherds with livestock and poachers. In 1995 by the decision of the Tashkent region’s mayor, 115 hectares (the right bank of the Shavazihurdsay river) was removed from the territory. This has had a negative effect on the fauna.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Annals of nature Chatkal Biosphere reserve 1956-1991; 2002-2005. These Annals include ornithological accounts of regular monitoring by Komarova between 1980 and 1986 and ornithological research reports by the deputy director of the reserve, E.N.Lanovenko, between 1993 and 1999.