Jarsay - Khangui (20730)
Turkmenistan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Jarsay - Khangui
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.6220, Longitude: 61.0720
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 50 to 180
Area of KBA (km2): 935.79732
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Jarsay - Khangui IBA is situated in the Central Karakum and is formed from drainage waters from the Jarsay and Khangui collectors. The IBA is located 120-130 km to the north of Mary 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 in the desert, provide favourable conditions for waterfowl and waterbirds, especially during migration and in winter. Criterion A1 applies for Oxyura leucocephala and Pelecanus crispus. The following A1 species have been recorded but data are insufficient to justify their inclusion under this criterion - Aythya nyroca, Anser erythropus and Marmaronetta angustirostris. Criterion А4iii applies for the waterfowl and waterbirds which number 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, Haloxylon aphyllum.
Habitats
Land use: hunting (90%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 25 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 75 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Insignificant illegal hunting and fishing. Climate change and severe weather.
| 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 |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | 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).