Kulykol-Taldykol Lake System (21937)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Kulykol-Taldykol Lake System
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.3917, Longitude: 61.9000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 246 to 260
Area of KBA (km2): 119.01534
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Kulykol-Taldykol Lake System is located on the right bank of the upper course of the Tobol river, at the boundary with the gently undulated plateaus of the Trans-Ural region and the Tersek-Adaevskoye Plateau. The IBA is situated in the sub-zone of dry steppes dominated by feather-grass-fescue associations alternating with wormwood-fescue associations. The region is included in a zone of intensive agriculture, predominantly grain production. Tilled lands surround the lakes on all sides, approaching within 5, sometimes 0.2 km, of the shoreline. This, together with other substantial factors, is resulting in a steady growth in the numbers of waterfowl (geese, ducks) during migration as the harvested crop fields provide ideal feeding conditions. Due to declining cattle raising the pastures and hayfields are not being used half as much as they were 20+ years ago. The IBA lies in the western part of Kamysty district 230 km south-west of the regional centre of Kostanai and 60 km to the south of the district centre of Kamysty. The Kulykol-Taldykol Hollow lies in the closed basin of the Tobol-Turgai Interfluve that is notable for having a sparse network of seasonal rivulets many of which only run for very short periods. Therefore the main water supply of the lakes is irregular seasonal runoff and snow-melt, which results in unstable hydrological and hydro-chemical regimes. The catchment for snow-melt covers c.1,200 km2, and stretches extensively north, west and south-west from the centre of the hollow. The only stream of moderate strength and extent (38 km) that retains some flow in summer, enters Kulykol from the south-west. Kulykol lake is an elongated waterbody oriented north-south for 10 km, with a maximum width of 4.9 km. The water area covers c.33.7 km2. Average depths are 2 m, exceptionally up to 4 m. The shores are fringed with reed interspersed with associations of Typha angstifolia, Bolboshoenus maritimis and Alisma plantago-aquatica. Reed also occurs as extensive patches over the entire water area. The open water stretches have aggregations of Ceratophyllum demersum, Potamogeton lucens, P. perfoliatus, P. pectinatus and Myriophyllum spicatum. In places with minimal surface disturbance the Ceratophyllum demersum is associated with Lemna trisulca, Polygonum amphibium and other species. Algae are represented by Chara tomentosa. There is an array of small islets in the lake. The largest of the group serves as a nesting area for colonial birds. Taldykol lake, 11.2 km2 in area, lies 2.3 km to the north of Kulykol and is almost regularly oval in shape. The greater part of its surface is occupied by reedbeds. On the lake's shore, as it is the case with the neighboring Kulykol, there are salt-tolerant grass meadows. At the northern and south-western parts, there are flood meadows dominated by Elytrigia repens, that often turn into marshes during times of deep flooding. In the higher and drier areas, the vegetation complexes acquire more of a xerophyte-predominant aspect, with Artemisia pausiflora, Festuca valesiaca and Stipa sareptana. During times of deep flooding the water in the lakes is fresh but during protracted droughts the mineralization steadily increases until, during periods of drastic evaporation, the waters become bitter and salty.
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: 146 bird species have been recorded, including 99 species of waterbird composed as follows: Gaviiformes – 1, Podicipediformes - 4, Pelecaniformes - 3, Ciconiiformes – 6, Phoencopteriformes – 1, Anseriformes – 30, Charadriiformes - 46, Gruiformes – 8. Species composition and numbers are related to the prevailing hydrological situation. 45 species breed, the most numerous being geese, ducks, rails and gulls. Counts in 1995-1997 estimated the total number of breeding waterbirds as 80,000 individuals. Among the most numerous species were: Cygnus olor, Cygnus cygnus, Anser anser, Anas platyrhynchos, A. strepera, A. querquedula, A. acuta, A. clypeata, Aythya ferina, Aythya fuligula and Netta rufina. When water levels are high to moderate Fulica atra is extremely common as a breeding species. The common grebe species are: Podiceps cristatus and P. nigricollis. The reedbeds support Ardea cinerea, Egretta alba, Botaurus stellaris and Ixobrychus minutus. In years of favourable hydrological conditions colonial species are important. In 1998-2003, on the major island of Lake Kulykol 20-39 pairs of Pelecanus crispus bred, alongside Phalocrocorax carbo. Large colonies of Larus ichthyaetus (200-250 pairs), Larus cachinnans (100 pairs), L. canus and L. ridibundus, Gelochelidon nilotica, Chlidonias leucoptera, Sterna hirundo and Chlidonias niger also occur. The breeding wader community is represented by: Vanellus vanellus, Glareola nordmanni, Actitis hypoleucos, Tringa totanus, Himantopus himantopus, Recurvirostra avosetta, Limosa limosa and, possibly, Numenius arquata. When conditions are optimal large numbers of Anseriformes congregate to moult. In 2000, in the first half of June the overall number of birds was assessed at c.20-22,000 birds, of which the dominant species were Anser anser - 21.8%, Anas platyrhynchos (drakes) – 4.7%, A. querquedula – 14.3%, A. clypeata – 1.3%; with less numerous Anas penelope – 8.7%, Tadorna tadorna – 7.7% and A. strepera – 6.6%. The Kulykol-Taldykol Lake System is located in the middle of a major migratory flyway for waterfowl. Ducks and geese are the dominant components. In 1996-2005 single day counts gave figures varying from 37 to 160,000 birds, composed in general by 57.0-65.9% Anser albifrons, 8.4-10.1% Anser anser, 2.2-7.0% Anser erуthropus and 23.5-25.9% Branta ruficollis. The overall autumn migration is thought to number 450,000 birds. Despite the deterioration of hydrological conditions in the major habitats of Kulykol Lake in 2000-2005, the lake continued to support multitudes of waterbirds. In the first half of September 2005, 280,000 ducks were recorded, including Tadorna ferruginea – 19,800, Anas platyrhynchos – 53,350, A. crecca – 90,840, A. strepera – 3,000, A. penelope - 9,600, A. clypeata - 4,800, A. acuta – 82,200 (in all cases, except Tadorna ferruginea, numbers were estimated on the basis of sample counts). Raptors occurring on migration include Haliaeetus albicila, Aquila chrysaetos, A. heliaca, A. clanga, A. nipalensis, Circus cyaneus, C. pygargus, C. aeruginosus, Accipiter nisus, Buteo buteo, Buteo lagopus, Buteo rufinus, Falco tinnunculus, Falco subbuteo, Falco columbarius and Milvus migrans. Breeding birds in the surrounding steppe include: Grus virgo, Tetrax tetrax, Melanocorypha yeltoniensis and M. leucoptera. 13 species included in the IUCN Red List occur: Pelecanus crispus, Anser erythropus, Branta ruficollis, Aythya nyroca, Oxyura leucocephala, Circus macrourus, Aquila clanga, Aquila heliaca, Falco cherrug, Falco naumanni, Tetrax tetrax, Grus leucogeranus and Vanellus gregarius. Circus macrourus and Tetrax tetrax are regular nesting species, Pelecanus crispus nests in favorable years. In addition, the following species are listed in the National Red Book: Grus virgo (nesting), Larus ichtyaetus (irregular nesting), Grus grus (very probably nesting), Cygnus cygnus, Cygnus columbianus, Aquila chrysaetos, Haliaeetus albicilla, Egretta garzetta and Phoenicopterus roseus. Non-bird biodiversity: The site supports at least 30 species of mammal. Most numerous are rodents. The humid ground areas are occupied by Apodemus sylvaticus, Microtus gregalis, Microtus oeconomus, Cricetus cricetus and Micromys minutus. In years when the lakes are full Arvicola terrestris and Ondatra zibetica breed. The steppe biotopes support substantial numbers of Microtus arvalis, Lagurus lagurus, Ellobius talpinus, Sicista subtilis, Allocricetulus eversmanni and Spermophillus major. On the eastern and southern slopes of the Lake’s hollow there are well-established colonies of Marmota bobac. Typical species of the Fescue-Artemisia steppe are: Allactaga major, Spermophillus pygmeus and Erinaceus auritus. Lepus europaeus occurs throughout, while Lepus timidus occurs only within the shore-line zone. Sus scrofa formerly occurred but now is absent. Frequently encountered predators are: Meles meles, Mustela erminea, Mustela nivalis, Mustela eversmanni, Vulpes corsac, Vulpes vulpes and Canis lupus. The area’s primordial aspect and structure of virgin steppe vegetation suffered severe agricultural transformation during the last half century. Only the western slopes of the Kulykol-Taldykol Hollow still have intact remnants of the former xerophyte-rich flora of the dry steppes. Along the saline sections of the shore-line the typical desert species Kalidium shrenkianum can be found, on the very edge of its northern distribution. The National Red Book species - Tulipa schrenkii -can be foujnd in a few locations. The site also supports the relic species Lemna trisulca.
Delineation rationale: The closest settlements to the site are Sakharovka village, 20 km to the North and Pushkino village, 9 km to the West-North-West. 12 km from the western boundary of the IBA there is the Kostanai to Aktobe highway. A railway line runs 4.5 km from the IBA’s eastern boundary.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The wetland complex is situated in an area where agriculture has been steadily increasing for the last half century. Near the western end of the IBA, on the shore of Taldykol Lake, is a settlement of the same name populated by 613 people. During the last 50 years, the area has seen an agricultural boom, principally crop production. Tilled lands almost surround the lakes, encroaching to within 0.2-5 km. This has resulted in a variety of threats to the area including: an impact on the lush vegetation by hay-mowing or cattle-grazing; water pollution by manure or pesticide run-off; disturbance from large-scale fishing operations and poaching. Trampling of the shore zone vegetation, essential for birds’ breeding, has been alleviated to a certain extent on account of the sharp decrease in the number of local livestock in the mid-1990s.
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | hunting (35%) | rangeland/pastureland (15%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 | |
| Grassland | 35 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 55 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: On the plains surrounding the Hollow, cultivated fields constitute 80-85% of the area. Ploughing disrupts the local hydrological regime reducing or preventing the immediate and plentiful run-off triggered by fast snow-melt. In years when there is a high deficiency of soil-bound moisture, this leads to a deterioration of the ecological conditions of the waterbodies. The intensification of crop-production may also increase the volume of herbicides and fertilisers entering the system, and in recent years farmers have shortened the period between harvest and re-ploughing which will remove the opportunity for migrating geese to use the fields, a habit they have become accustomed to. Presently, cattle-raising remains at a low level but is gradually reviving regionally, and it is likely that eventually the former pastures and hay-fields around the lakes will be restored. Apart from agriculture, other threats are the construction of a railway, with Taldykol becoming a station, which may further disrupt the hydrological regime, especially of the eastern slopes of the Hollow. There are regular seasonal fires on the steppe which frequently spread to the lakes.
| 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 |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (unknown use) | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Bragin E.A. (2001) Lakes dynamics and waterfowl of Ubagan-Ishym Interfluve and of Northern Turgai. Materials of 11International conference “Actual problems of research and protection of birds of Eastern Europe and Central Asia”. Kazan’, P.120-122. (in Russian). Bragin E.A., and Bragina, T.M. Wetlands in system of natural complexes of Northern Kazakhstan. General characteristic and nature-protection importance. The most important wetlands of Northern Kazakhstan (in limits of Kostanay and west part of North-Kazakhstan regions). Moscow: Russian University (series WWF, issue 5): 19-38. (in Russian).. Bragin E.A., Yerokhov S.N. (2002). Kulykol-Taldykol Lake System. The most important wet-lands of Northern Kazakhstan. (In the limits of Kostanay and western part of North-Kazakhstan regions). The editors: Bragin E.A. and Bragina, M., Russian University. P. 139-145. (in Russian) . Bragin E.A. (2004) Distribution and population numbers of swans in Kostanai Region in 1998-2002. Works of Institute of Zoology. V.47. “Birds’ migration in Asia”, Almaty. P.75-86. (in Russian) Yerokhov S.N. (2004). Preliminary results of geese population numbers’ monitoring during their autumn migration in Kostani Region (Northern Kazakhstan). Issues of protection and of sustainable exploitation of Kazakhstan’s wild-life resources. (Materials of International scientific conference of 6-8 of April of 1999), Almaty, P.64-65. (in Russian) Yerokhov S.N., Berezovikov N.N., Kellomyaki E.N., Ripatti N.L. (2000). Anser erythropus and concomitant species of geese on their migration in Kazakhstan. Brant # 6, Bulletin of the working group on geese and swans of Eastern Europe and Central Asia., M.,P.121-157. Yerokhov S.N., Berezovikov N.N.(2003). Monitoring of water-fowl and shore-bird species at the Lakes of Kostanai Region (Northern Kazakhstan) in October of 2001 and 2002. Russian Ornithological Journal. Express Issue 228: P.744-749. Bragin E.A., Bragina T.M. (2000) Dynamics level of the lakes and population of Birds and Mammals in Kustanay Region. Biodiversity and Dynamics of Ecosystems in North Eurasia. BDENE. Volume 3. Diversity of the Fauna of North Eurasia. Part 2. Novosibirsk, Russia. August 21- 26, 2000. IC&G. Novosibirsk. PP. 229- 231. J.Markkola, P.Pynnonen, P.Tolvanen, A.Veersaly & S.Yerohov. (1998) The second International Lesser White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus expedition in NW Kazakhstan in May 1997. WWF. Finland Report # 9. Finnish Lesser White-fronted Goose Conservation Project. Annual report, 1997. Helsinki, p. 21- 22. P.Tolvanen & P.Pynnonen. (1998) Monitoring the autumn migration of Lesser White-fronted Geese Anser erythropus and other gees in NW Kazakhstan in October 1996. WWF. Finland Report # 9. Finnish Lesser White-fronted Goose Conservation Project. Annual report, 1997. Helsinki, p. 19- 20. P.Tolvanen, K.Litvin & P.Lampila. (1999) Monitoring the autumn staging of Lesser White-fronted Geese in north-western Kazakhstan, October, 1998. WWF. Finland Report #10. NOF Rapportserie Report # 1-1999. Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project. Annual report, 1998. Helsinki, p. 42- 46. P.Tolvanen, T.Eskelin, T.Aarvak, G.Eichhorn, I.Oien, & E.Gurtovaya. (2000) Monitoring the autumn staging of Lesser White-fronted Geese in Kazakhstan, October, 1999. WWF. Finland Report #12. NOF Rapportserie Report # 1- 2000. Fennoscandian Lesser White-fronted Goose conservation project. Annual report, 1999. Helsinki, p. 43- 48. Udvardy M..D.F. , 1975. A classification of the biogeographical provinces of the world. “IUCN Occas. Pap.”, # 18, 49 pp.