Donyz-Tau cliff faces (21957)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Donyz-Tau cliff faces
Central coordinates: Latitude: 46.4833, Longitude: 56.6333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 13 to 215
Area of KBA (km2): 3789.51837
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A slightly undulating, clay northern desert plateau with fragments of semidesert and dry steppe (places of old fires), and salt-marshes, terminated in the north by heavily cut precipices (“chinks”) forming a tortuous clayey escarpment. This creates an abrupt elevation grade between the plateau and the neighbouring plains. The relative height of the cliffs along is 200 m. The vegetation is mainly Artemisia-Salsola 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.
Habitats
Land use: not utilised (95%) | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 1 | |
| Desert | 74 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 25 | |
| Shrubland | 1 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The most evident hazard for local raptor populations is trapping of Falco cherrug by international traders. Despite the selected character of their interest, their activities cause disturbance to other breeding raptrs, the tranquility of the habitat, and the natural rhythms of the local wildlife.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | 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. (ISSN 1608-1544) P.11-13.