Ereymentau Mountains (21986)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Ereymentau Mountains
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.4000, Longitude: 73.2833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 260 to 901
Area of KBA (km2): 3640.87757
Protected area coverage (%): 20.92
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA covers a major portion of the hilly uplands 55 km to the south-east of Astana. The main part of the area is situated on the outskirts of the south-eastern quarter of Akmola region with the southern extension, running mainly north-south, extending to the northern frontier zone of Karaganda region. The district centre of Ereymentau is located on the northern edge of the site and there are several settlements, including Algabas, Baimen and Ornek Novokamena, within the IBA. The hilly uplands consist of a system of parallel ranges stretching in a east-west direction. Towards the eastern end of the area the landscape is predominately rocky with sparse forest cover. There are also areas of dry steppe. A few rivers run down from the mountains and support patches of alder forest (Alnus sp) in boggy areas. The lower slopes have scattered stands of coppiced deciduous forest - birch-aspen assemblage, with birch tending to be dominant.
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: Being a combination of forest and steppe, the site supports an interesting mix of species. Ereymentau forest is the southern boundary of northern breeding species such as Buteo buteo, Pernis apivorus, Accipiter gentilis and Strix uralensis, and the northernmost location for breeding Aquila nipalensis. The area is also important for raptors including Aquila heliaca, Aquila chrysaetos, Circus macrourus, Falco vespertinus and Otus scops. Non-bird biodiversity: A good population of Ovis ammon collium inhabits the Ereymentau hill ranges. Marmota bobak are numerous in the vicinities of both the State Nature Preserve and the hunting facility “Gornoye”.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: As the site has protected area status, agricultural activities are restricted to low intensity grazing, principally on the immediate outskirts of settlements.
Land use: forestry (30%) | hunting (50%) | nature conservation and research (30%) | rangeland/pastureland (15%) | tourism/recreation (20%) | urban/industrial/transport (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 1 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 15 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 1 | |
| Grassland | 54 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Despite the control, by a few hunting societies, over the illegal persecution of local game species, poaching and unorganized hunting are not uncommon. Intrusions, including hunting and logging incursions, into the pristine parts of the territory are resulting in disturbances that are prone to aggravate the equilibrium of the local ecosystems, damaging the essential value of the habitats traditionally attractive to raptors.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Persecution/control | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Intentional use: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Pollution | Garbage & solid waste | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Utility & service lines | Ongoing |