Akzhar Lakes (21947)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Akzhar Lakes
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.9833, Longitude: 69.7500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 205 to 301
Area of KBA (km2): 257.32941
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA covers two distinct terrestrial complexes: the undulated desert composed of stable dunes of compressed sands and the clayey valley in the lower reaches of the Talas river (in its most south-westerly part). The site lies within a range of gentle natural depressions and consists of an area of numerous small and average-sized waterbodies. Most of these lakes are fed by seepage from the main course of the Talas river but also by retention of water from significant spring floods and runoff. There are large changes in lake water levels over the course of the year. Shoreline reed growth is restricted to a small number of waterbodies. Most lakes have bare shores dotted, occasionally, with scattered patches of Tamarix sp. and, less frequently, Haloxylon sp. The land between the lakes consist of numerous sandy dunes or mounds, interspersed with alkaline patches with wet Festuca and Salsola dominant associations.
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 addition to those species that qualify the site as an IBA, the fololowing species should also be mentioned either by virtue of their position in the Red Lists, or as they have the potential to reach IBA qualifying criteria: Egretta alba, Ardea cinerea, Anser anser, Cygnus olor, Anas strepera, Anas crecca, Anas platyrhynchos, Anas penelope and Netta rufina, Haliaeetus albicilla, Numenius arquata and Larus genei. Breeding by Marmaronetta angustirostris is suspected as the species has been encountered several times on passage at the nearby Kyzylkol Lake situated 40-50 km southeast of the IBA. Further investigation of breeding and migrating species and numbers is required. Non-bird biodiversity: Sus scrofa, Canis areus, Vulpes vulpes, Meles meles, Lepus tolai.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 30 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 70 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Periodic and extensive burning of the reedbeds is a constant threat.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Only in the future |