Talimardzhan Reservoir (20654)
Uzbekistan, Central Asia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a, D1a

Year of last assessment: 2017

National site name: Talimardzhan Reservoir

Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.4200, Longitude: 65.5500

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 375 to 512

Area of KBA (km²): 858.55427

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site is situated 45 km southwest of the town of Karshi, on the border of reclaimed land and the desert. The length of reservoir is 14 km; average width, 5.5 km (widest point 7 km); average depth is 20.0 m (deepest point 40 m). The reservoir is fed by water from the Amudarya river through the main Karshi canal. Water quality depends on that of the Amudarya river. Water salinity is constant in the region of 0.7-0.8 g/l. The reservoir does not freeze and has limited vegetation cover. The gently sloping shores are covered with sparse arid vegetation impoverished as a result of overgrazing by cattle. Thickets of tamarisk occur in some places.

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: Observations carried out in the vicinity of the reservoir (steppe sites) in the last few years have revealed Chlamidotis undulata on migration and it is possible that the species also breeds. The breeding bird community of the reservoir is poor, which is connected with the instability of the hydrological regime. In winter, the situation significantly changes. In the course of two years of winter counts, 23 species of waterfowl were recorded wintering on the reservoir, including the globally endangered Aythya nyroca. Two national Red Data Book species were also recorded - Haliaeetus albicilla and Larus ichthyaetus. The number of water birds concentrated here in winter corresponds to Ramsar and IBA criteria as a site of international importance. In January 2000 and 2004, the number of waterbirds recorded were 66,698 and 57,022 respectively. Non-bird biodiversity: The following species inhabiting desert and semi-desert areas were recorded: rodents by gerbils and Long-clawed Ground Squirrel; Muskrat inhabits areas bordering canals and collector water courses; predators by Vulpes vulpes karagan, Golden Jackal and Steppe Cat; and reptiles by Steppe Agama. Fish in the reservoir include sazan and, cat-fish. Tree-shrub vegetation in the coastal zone has almost been lost to agricultural development, collection of firewood by local residents and overgrazing by cattle. Small areas of sparse thickets of tamarisk, saltwort and Artemisia sp. can be found and Koreleniya grows in the damp depressions.

Delineation rationale: Coordinates and area of this IBA were calculated with ArcGIS. Description of a border starts from the Talimardzhan village which located on the state border and in the middle of the southern boundary of IBA. From village it goes to the east along the state border, passing Gurchak hill (455 m) to point 1 -N38.26 E65.77. From it goes along the electricity transmission lines to the north to point 2 - N38.38 E65.8. From point 2 along unpaved road to the north-west passing Atkuduk hill (453m) to the p.3 - N38.46 E65.74 around Atkuduk settl. Further to the west, passing Dultali hill (512m) to the paved road at p.4 - N38.47 E65.64. Here are crop areas about 600 ha. From p. 4 to the Nuristan settl. From settlement to the west to the P-38 highway. From the highway to the west through channels rounding the Gulistan settl. from north to p.5 - N38.54 E65.46. From it along the collector to the north to p.6 - N38.56 E65.45. From p.6 by conditional line on the south-west to p.7 - N38.53 E65.35. From p.7 by unpaved road it goes to south to the state border at p.8 -. N38.43 E65.3. From p.8 it goes to the east along the state border to the Talimardzhan settl.- the starting point.

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: The reservoir tends not to freeze, has rich food supplies for birds, open areas for safe day time roosting and some reed cover. Nearby, there are irrigated agricultural fields (irrigation is necessary to combat increasing salinity), as well as areas used for growing winter crops and alfalfa which provide excellent feeding grounds safe from natural enemies. Lands in the coastal part of the reservoir are used as pasture for cattle and the reservoir is used for watering cattle all year round. There is the risk that fisheries will be allowed on long-term rent which it is considered likely would result in non-regulated and uncontrolled catching of fish.

Land use: agriculture (90%) | fisheries/aquaculture (5%) | water management (5%)

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)	6
Artificial - Terrestrial	44
Desert	50

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The reservoir is significantly affected by water management conditions. Water abstraction, depending on agricultural needs, can reach 80%. This prevents birds nesting on the reservoir. The use of fixed nets in shallow water areas, uncontrolled quantity and quality of the nets, as well as neglect of regulations on the removal of useless nets are all direct threats for birds. The constant presence of boats and people on the reservoir is a significant disturbance factor.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Biological resource use	Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources	Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest]	Ongoing
Biological resource use	Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	Intentional use (species being assessed is the target)	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Dams & water management/use	Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use)	Ongoing
Climate change & severe weather	Droughts		Only in the future

Additional information