Amangeldy (20651)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1c, A1d, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Amangeldy
Central coordinates: Latitude: 50.5667, Longitude: 69.8500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 300 to 340
Area of KBA (km2): 55.41205
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area of Artemisia-grass steppe between Amangeldy village and Sholak lake (Korgalzhyn district), about 100 km south-east of Astana (the capital of Kazakhstan). The area also includes saltmarshes and bays on the eastern shore of the lake.
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: The IBA is a breeding area of the globally threatened (and biome-restricted for steppe) Sociable Lapwing and Black-winged Pratincole. Other biome-restricted species are Circus macrourus, Melanocorypha yeltoniensis and Melanocorypha leucoptera. The bays and saltmarshes of Sholak lake are an important area for the autumn and spring concentrations of migratory waterbirds, especially waders (for example, up to 3,000 Limosa limosa).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Almost all of the area is used as pasture for cows, horses and sheep, at moderate intensity.
Land use: hunting (10%) | rangeland/pastureland (90%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 10 | |
| Grassland | 90 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats – direct disturbance of nesting Sociable Lapwings and Black-winged Pratincoles plus higher nest predation 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.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Krivizkiy et al. (1985). The birds of Kurgalzhinskiy Zapovednik. Almaty. (in Russian).