Zeyit - Kelif (20757)
Turkmenistan, Central Asia

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1d

Year of last assessment: 2007

National site name: Zeyit - Kelif

Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.5253, Longitude: 65.1035

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 180 to 251

Area of KBA (km²): 854.82112

Protected area coverage (%): 15.87

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: In the 1980s, the waters of the Amudarya began to flood into the southeastern part of the Kelif Uzboy (Uzynshor depression) and construction of the Zeyit water reservoir began. The IBA is located to the west of the city of Atamyrat.

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 is a typical wetland providing favourable conditions for waterfowl and waterbirds, especially during migration and in winter. Criterion А1 applies for: Pelecanus crispus, Aythya nyroca and Oxyura leucocephala. One additional A1 species has been recorded which does not meet the qualifying level - Marmaronetta angustirostris. Criterion А4iii applies as waterfowl and waterbird numbers on migration and in winter reach more than 20,000 individuals. Non-bird biodiversity: Fish: – about 40 species, amphibians – 2 species, reptiles – 30 species, and mammals – more 30 species. Flora: – hydrophilic vegetation: Tamarix, Karelinia caspia, Phragmites australis, Salsola. A few species of saxaul (Haloxylon).

Habitats

Land use: agriculture (5%) | fisheries/aquaculture (15%) | water management (80%)

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Desert	5
Wetlands(Inland)	95

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Disturbance of birds and overfishing.

Additional information