Alekseevskie steppe pine forests (21984)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Alekseevskie steppe pine forests
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.9667, Longitude: 70.6333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 386 to 455
Area of KBA (km2): 1761.81804
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site lies in the south-eastern part of the moderately expansive Kokshetau uplands. The eastern edge of the area runs parallel to the south-north oriented road network and Astana-Petropavlovsk railway line. The district centre of Akkol (Alekseyevka) is located roughly midway along the border. A system of secondary and country roads crosses the site linking the many villages, the largest of which are Phylipovka, Vinogradovka, Krasny Bor, Amangeldy and Ornek. On the northern boundary is the medium-sized settlement of Nikolskoye. The boundary of the site encompasses an area occupied by large stands of mature pine forest in the vicinity of Akkol (Alekseyevka). These impressive patches of pine mountainside are located on the sub-watershed of the upper reaches of the right-bank tributaries of the Koluton river. The major features of the landscape are those typical of the wilds of the Northern Kazakhstan forest-steppe zone - an assemblage of dry meadow herbage and Fescue-Feather-Grass vegetation between stands of coniferous forest and occasional groves of birch.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: The composition of the avifauna is dominated by species associated with forest habitats plus some steppe species.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: All forest stands are assigned to the local forestry facility. Part of the open area between the forests is allotted for grazing.
Land use: forestry (40%) | rangeland/pastureland (30%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 8 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 1 | |
| Forest | 35 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 29 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 25 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 1 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The forestry facility regards the pines as the major asset and carries out an annual programme of small-scale logging. The effects of this forest resource management varies in severity from negligible through mild to serious.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |