Ayrakly – Garadzhaovlak (20728)
Turkmenistan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Ayrakly – Garadzhaovlak
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.6283, Longitude: 59.8353
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 50 to 150
Area of KBA (km2): 559.17208
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Ayrakly-Garajaovlak IBA is situated in the Central Karakum, and was formed from drainage water from the main Tedjen collector. The IBA is located 160-165 km to the northwest of Tedjen city. The IBA consists of alternating flooded depressions and raised areas of ridge-hilly sands.
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 avifauna of the IBA includes 300 species, of which more than 100 are waterfowl and waterbirds. The IBA's wetlands, situated within the desert, provide favorable conditions for waterfowl and waterbirds, especially during migration and in winter. The following A1 species have been recorded but, with the exception of Oxyura leucocephala, data is not available to justify their inclusion under this criterion - Pelecanus crispus, Aythya nyroca, Anser erythropus, Marmaronetta angustirostris. Criterion A4iii applies for the waterfowl and waterbirds which numbers more than 20,000 on migration and in winter. Non-bird biodiversity: Fish: – about 20 species, amphibians – 2 species, reptiles – 25 species and mammals – about 30 species. Flora: – coastal hydrophilic vegetation: Karelinia caspia, Phragmites australis, Salsola, Calligonum sp, Haloxylon persicum, H.aphyllum.
Habitats
Land use: hunting (35%) | not utilised (35%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 75 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Insignificant illegal hunting and fishing. Agricultural expansion and Climate change.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Rustamov, E.A. (1992). Wintering of a waterfowl in Turkmenistan. Biology Science.№3. Moscow. (in Russian). Rustamov, E.A., Poslavskiy, A.N. (1990). Geography, ecology and protection of wintering of waterfowl in Turkmenistan. Nature protection in Turkmenistan. Ashgabat. p. 56-100. (in Russian).