Kazakhstan portion of the river Volga's Delta - Zhambay (21939)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2003
National site name: Kazakhstan portion of the river Volga's Delta - Zhambay
Central coordinates: Latitude: 46.3333, Longitude: 49.5000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -25 to -20
Area of KBA (km2): 2353.32798
Protected area coverage (%): 95.58
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site consists of areas of inundated flatland with prolific reed growth. The mosaic of waterbodies (pools, large areas of open water, channels etc.) and reedbeds is typical for any large freshwater estuary. Several canals run seawards and are interspersed, in their turn, by channel-like connections. Terrestrial sections of the shore support stands of flood-forest consisting mainly of elms, prickly olives (oleasters) and poplars.
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: In this part of the Volga delta more than 250 bird species may be encountered. The overall number of migrating waterfowl significantly exceeds the 20,000 individuals criterion but precise supporting data is scarce. Several rare or threatened species occur. Non-bird biodiversity: Common species include Sus scrofa, Phoca caspica, Ondatra zibethica, Felis chaus and others.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Since reserve status alone cannot provide an absolute guarantee of balanced and discriminate fishing, there is expected to be a moderate amount of disturbance by poaching.
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 95 | |
| Grassland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The most potent threat originates from the oil exploration and oil extraction industrial activities in the waters of the extensive Zhambay oil fields. The operational infrastructure of the industry encroaches on a fraction of the delta’s territory and are centres of disturbance for the fauna, as well as a potential source of water pollution.
Additional information
References: 1. N.N. Berezovikov, A. P. Ghistsov. On avian fauna of the North- Eastern Caspian Forelands. Russ. Ornithol. Journal, 1993, v.26, i.1, P.89-90. (in Russian) 2. N.N. Berezovikov, A. P. Ghistsov, A.V. Kovalenko. Haliaeetus albicilla in the Ural-river valley and in the North- Eastern Caspian Forelands. Rare Plant and Animal Species of Orenburg Region. Orenburg, 1992, P.22-25. (in Russian) 3. A. P. Ghistsov. Avian biodiversity of the Protected Zone of Northern Caspian Sea. Science of Kazakhstan News. Nature Conservation Fund. Almaty. 2005, P.222-225. 4. A. P. Ghistsov. Expeditions: North-Eastern Caspian Sea. Kazakhstan Ornithological Bulletin of 2002. Almaty, 2002, P. 8-9. (in Russian) 5. A. V. Kovalenko. Ornithological observations on the territory of Kazakhstan fraction of Volga’s delta. Kazakhstan Ornithological Bulletin of 2004. Almaty, 2005. P.222-225. (in Russian)