Khankhovuz (20731)
Turkmenistan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1d, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Khankhovuz
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.1700, Longitude: 61.3215
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 150 to 210
Area of KBA (km2): 390.41279
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Khankhovuz water reservoir was constructed between 1962 and 1966. It is one of the main bulk water reservoirs in the Garagumdarya zone. The IBA is located 65 km to the southeast of Tedjen city and southwest of Mary city.
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 consists of wetlands in the desert and provides favourable conditions for waterfowl and waterbirds, especially during migration and in winter. Criterion А1 applies for Pelecanus crispus. Several other A1 species have been recorded but current information does not currently justify them being proposed: Aythya nyroca, Oxyura leucocephala, Anser erythropus, Marmaronetta angustirostris. Criterion А4iii applies for the concentrations of 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 L., Haloxylon persicum, H.aphyllum.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (70%) | hunting (10%) | tourism/recreation (5%) | water management (15%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 95 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Agricultural expansion, intensification, illegal hunting and overfishing.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Subsistence/artisinal aquaculture | Ongoing |
| 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).