Mugodzhary (20713)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Mugodzhary
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.7500, Longitude: 58.8000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 390 to 634
Area of KBA (km2): 2388.2578
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site comprises a hilly area elongated in a north-south direction, with separate low mountains with rocky summits. The surrounding landscape to the north is dry steppe (Festuca-Stipa and bush steppe), to the south grass-wormwood semi-desert. Along the river valleys there are some stands of isolated birch-aspen woodland with an admixture of bird cherry and ledge rocks.
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: 122 bird species were registered during a short-term survey in the 2003 breeding season (Kovshar, Davygora, 2004). Non-bird biodiversity: Nothing of note.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The landscapes are little transformed; part of the area is used as pasture, some plain areas near the northern part of the IBA are arable.
Land use: rangeland/pastureland (20%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Grassland | 70 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 10 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Forest | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The majority of the area is subject to fires which is the main threat. Grazing by cattle is not a real threat, though sometimes it causes disturbance for large birds. Under-grazing is much more of an issue because it causes the transformation of grassy areas (too much grass) and a deterioration of the foraging areas of raptors.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (commercial use) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Mining & quarrying | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Oil & gas drilling | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Kovshar, A.F and Davygora, A.V. (2004). The results of Russia-Kazakhstan's expedition to Mugodzhary and upper part of Emba basin. In: Kazakhstan Ornithological Bulletine 2003. Almaty: 32-34. (in Russian)