Arystandy (20636)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1d, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2017
National site name: Arystandy
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.2000, Longitude: 69.5000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 580
Area of KBA (km2): 198.58491
Protected area coverage (%): 0.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Hilly steppe foothills, flat hills and adjacent cereal fields at the spurs of the western slope of the Karatau ridge, 30 km NE of Chayan town. Typical Tian-Shan foothills steppe. The size of the area is about 11 x 8 km. Wintering place of Great Bustard. Virgin plots are herb-bunchgrass steppe; there are some rock ledges in hollows, small areas of salty soil, and springs.
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 (2017). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2016 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: In summer the site supports a complex of birds typical of steppe foothills: Alauda arvensis, Melanocorhypha bimaculata, Anthus campestris, Perdix perdix, Oenanthe isabellina, Sylvia curruca, Emberiza bruniceps. There is no confirmed breeding data on Otis tarda. The main role of the area is as a wintering place of Great Bustard. Other winter avifauna includes flocks of Corvus frugilegus, Corvus cornix etc. Non-bird biodiversity: Herb-bunch grass steppe, Artemisia, patches of bushes - Spirea, Rosa etc. Mammals - rodents (Muridae, Citellus sp.), Vulpes vulpes, Canis lupus. Reptiles - Eremias sp., Lacerta agilis, Agkistrodon halis.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Grassy slopes are used as pasture for sheep (moderate intensity), part of the area is cereal fields (arable).
Land use: agriculture (30%) | rangeland/pastureland (70%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Grassland | 65 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 30 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Moderate threats are disturbance by shepherds and dogs, intensification of agriculture (arable). The main threat is poaching of Great Bustards carried out during the whole wintering period.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Sklyarenko, S. and Vagner, I. (2005). Winter survey of Great Bustard in South-Kazakhstan region. In: Kazakhsatn Ornithological Bulletine 2004. Almaty: 156. (in Russian).