Key Biodiversity Areas

Vicinity of Korgalzhyn village (20640)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Vicinity of Korgalzhyn village
Central coordinates: Latitude: 50.5833, Longitude: 70.0500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 325 to 337
Area of KBA (km2): 102.85914
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: Short-grass meadows near the small town Korgalzhyn situated 120 km south-west of Astana, near the Nura river. The natural surrounding landscape is Festuca-Arthemisia steppe. Within a radius of 3-4 km from the town, there are pastures with different intensities of grazing where several colonies of Sociable Lapwing exist.
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: Seven breeding colonies of Sociable Lapwing; plus wagtails, pipits, some larks. Other birds are typical of anthropogenic landscapes.

Habitats


Summary of habitats in KBA: Almost all of the area is used as pasture for cows, horses and sheep, with moderate to high intensity.
Land use: rangeland/pastureland (90%) | urban/industrial/transport (10%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Artificial - Terrestrial10
Grassland90

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats – direct disturbance of nesting birds plus higher nest robbery by rooks, dogs etc. Direct destruction of eggs by cows etc. is also possible. Overgrazing and undergrazing (due to too tall grass in this case) might have a very strong influence.