Tuzkol Lake (21969)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Tuzkol Lake
Central coordinates: Latitude: 43.0000, Longitude: 79.9833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1970 to 2300
Area of KBA (km2): 31.34249
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is in the rustic Karasaz province of the Raiymbek district of the Almaty region between the villages of Karasaz and Tekes, in the intermontane valley flanked by the Eltchin-Buyryuk and Karatau mountains. The site is a shallow, saline lake 5 km in length and up to 1,000 m in width. The shoreline is a mixture of muddy shoals or wet meadow plots with slightly raised banks covered with a mosaic of highland valley vegetation. The dry land encircling the waterbody, where it is uncultivated, still supports remant dry steppe vegetation with perennial complexes of xerophytic grasses and wormwoods. There are also scattered alkali plots and numerous aggregations of Lasiagrostis splendens tufts. The shore lacks any form of growth larger than the lush salt-tolerant plants and there are no of woody or scrub species or reedbeds. The lake contains two small islands. Two natural slightly mineralized springs are located at the northern corner of the lake and there is an artesian well on the eastern shore.
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 site is important for the large numbers of moulting Tadorna ferruginea it supports and also for significant numbers of Grus grus and Grus virgo. The area is used used by a variety of surface-feeding and diving ducks, gulls and waders for nesting, moulting and on passage. In August 2006, on the lake and its environs, 35 species, including 21 shore- and waterfowl (4,445 specimens in total) were recorded. It is estimated that migratory concentrations regularly number 5-10,000+ waterbirds. The site is alo important for breeding Cygnus cygnus, Podiceps nigricollis and Fulica atra. The modestly sized islets hold colonial nesting gulls, terns and waders. The nearby mountains have national protected Aquila chrysaetos, Falco pelegrinoides and Aquila nipalensis. Non-bird biodiversity: The area is important for two Central Asian montane amphibians Rana asiatica and Bufo pewzovi. In the nearby mountains Ovis ammon occurs.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: In the foothills of the neighbouring mountains there are about 6 functioning pastoral units each represented by a sprawl of herdsmen's winter quarters and sheepfold structures. Two separate small-scale farms occupy some of the land on the east, south and western shores of the lake. Annually, from April to November, the area is used as seasonal grazing by people from Sarybastau. In 2006 the plains held 15 herds of sheep (2,700 head), 12 herds of cows (955 head) and 12 groups of horses (475 head). At midday many animals concentrate along the shoreline at the south-eastern corner of the lake. Agriculture in the vicinity was abandoned about 15-20 years ago but abandoned fields can still be seen in the spacious valley to the east of the lake.
Land use: energy production and mining (5%) | rangeland/pastureland (30%) | urban/industrial/transport (3%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 1 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 10 | |
| Grassland | 64 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Overgrazing is the most severe impact at the site, with livestock numbers increrasing rapidly and now 5 times higher than in former times. It can be expected that in the near future the whole of the south-eastern coast will experience the resurrection of arable farming, with associated infrastructure. The northern shore may become subject to increased recreational pressure as this area contains the most substantial deposits of curative mud that was previously extracted and transported to Almaty’s therapeutic centres. In 2006, at the above location, the foundations of a residential local curative spa was established. Poaching has not been noted in recent years, however it is known that illegal collecting of Rana asiatica for use in Chinese medicine takes place.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Domestic & urban waste water | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Temperature extremes | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Natural system modifications | Other ecosystem modifications | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing |