Zharkol Lakes (21943)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Zharkol Lakes
Central coordinates: Latitude: 50.4500, Longitude: 67.2500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 326 to 360
Area of KBA (km2): 88.21564
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA consists of a group of 4 lakes (Zharkol, Shoyndykol, Sabyndy and Taldy), positioned at the corners of a notional polygon with an area of c6 x 10 km, situated 25 km to the north-east of Arkalyk. The site is divided by the Shoiyndy-Arkalyk highway. The most important is the slightly brackish Zharkol Lake, nearly oval in shape, with an area of c3.8 x 4.2 km and depths of 1.5 - 2 m. Zharkol is 4 km north-west of the village of Shoiyndykol and 1.5 km from a seasonal lake of similar size – Shoyndykol - to which it is connected by means of seasonally dry channels. The northern and southern shores of the Lake have a few cliffs. The lake has one main seasonal inflow but the main water input, as is the case with all the other lakes in the vicinity, is provided by multiple seasonal run-offs. Lake Taldy (4 x 1.8 km) shows drastic fluctuations of water-level, sometimes completely drying-up. In years of plentiful water, when levels are more stable, extensive reedbeds develop. A similar regime is shown by the neighbouring Sabyndy lake (about 4 x 2 km). Although there are 4 lakes, in practice the IBA consists of three waterbody clusters: Zharkol-Shoiyndykol, Sabyndy and Taldy. Agricultural is well developed throughout the entire Region and fields are widespread and sometimes extend right to the shoreline.
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 fields around the lakes provide good feeding areas for geese.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Since 1999 there has been a game-keeping facility in the vicinity of the lakes with effective management and substantial logistical support. The waters of the Lake were declared a No Disturbance Zone with all shooting forbidden including within a 2 km zone inland from the lake's shore. The surrounding landscape is primarily agricultural (mostly wheat fields), and there is some low intensity cattle grazing.
Land use: agriculture (10%) | hunting (100%) | rangeland/pastureland (20%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 10 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 10 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 80 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: An unstable hydrological regime, largely climatic; illegal hunting; and disturbance by grazing livestock.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Only in the future | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Yerokhov S. N. Results of ornithological survey of Zharkol Lake. Kazakhstan Ornithological Bulletin of 2004. Almaty, 2005. p. 31-32. (in Russian)