Kaundy Depression (20930)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Kaundy Depression
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.9167, Longitude: 52.9333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): -57 to 121
Area of KBA (km2): 750.30025
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is a deep hollow (depression) in the limestone-gypsum desert plateau of the Mangyshlak peninsula, 20 km to the east of Kendyrli Bay on the Caspian Sea, and 30 km to the south of Zhanaozen city (Karakiyanskiy district). The landscape is typical clay and sandy-clay northern desert with fragments of southern desert. The vegetation of the plains is mainly Artemisia-Salsola associations. The hollow is edged with steep cliffs (“chinks”) of limestone and chalk, with heights up to 150 m. The length of the hollow is about 30 km, the width up to 6-9 km.
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: Typical assemblage of desert species, with an interesting complex of birds of prey.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The land is not utilised because of a lack of water; there are roads and an oil pipeline near the border of the IBA. Existing use - nature conservation.
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 17 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 | |
| Desert | 52 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 | |
| Shrubland | 10 | |
| Forest | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are: - illegal capture of Saker Falcons - development of infrastructure of petroleum (oil) production.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Temperature extremes | Ongoing | |
| Energy production & mining | Oil & gas drilling | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Karyakin I., Levin A., Novikova L., Pazhenkov A. 2004. Saker in the North-Western Kazakhstan: results of the 2003-2004 surveys. – Falco. № 24. 11-13. Karyakin I.V., Levin A.S., Novikova L.M., Pazhenkov A.S. 2004. Saker in the Western Kazakhstan: the results of research 2003-2004. – Raptors conservation. N 2. 42-55. (in Russian).