Ishkashim (21989)
Tajikistan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Ishkashim
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.0017, Longitude: 72.2277
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2400 to 6723
Area of KBA (km2): 1134.82086
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is situated 120 km from the provincial centre, Horog, and 52 km from the district centre, Ishkashim. It is located in the south part of the Shohdara range and is a rather wide part of the Vahan valley and a large proportion of the south mountainside of the Shohdara range. The lowlands of the IBA are represented by flood-lands of the Pyandj river which were formed as a result of the Pamir and Vahandara rivers confluence, situated 10 km to the east of the eastern border of the IBA. The most interesting part of the IBA are the flood-lands of the Pyandj river in the Vakhan valley. This is the widest part of the Pyandj valley in Badahshan. The river forms several branches and as a result many islands, some of which are covered with tugay thickets, were formed. There are many pebbly shoals and sandy islands with rare plants. The mountain part of the IBA, located on the south mountainside of the Shohdara range, is divided by more than 14 gorges of a primary level and more than 22 gorges of a secondary level. There are rivers in all gorges. These are the Pyandj river's side tributaries, more than 40% of which flow throughout the year. The total area of waterbodies in the IBA is 1.1%. The maximum depth of the Pyandj river is 12m. There are tugay thickets and watermeadows in the floodlands of the Pyandj river and the low parts of the side gorges. The density and variety of vegetation decreases as altitude increases.
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: There are about 100 species recorded. Residents include: Anas platyrhynchos, Mergus merganser, Gypaetus barbatus, Aegypius monachus, Gyps himalayensis, Aquila chrysaetos, Pyrrhocorax graculus, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, Corvus corax and Montifringilla nivalis. Breeding species include: Tadorna ferruginea, Tringa totanus, Columba rupestris, Caprimulgus europaeus, Calandrella acutirostris, Riparia rupestris, Motacilla citreola, Motacilla alba, Prunella himalayana, Phoenicurus erythrogaster, Oenanthe isabellina and Carduelis flavirostris. Migrants include: Ardea cinerea, Anas strepera, Anas crecca, Fulica atra and Upupa epops during the spring and autumn migrations. Rare species: resident species included in the National Red Book are Gypaetus barbatus, Gyps himalayensis, Aquila chrysaetos, Falco cherrug, Ibidorhyncha struthersii and Chaimarrornis leucocephala. IUCN Red Listed species are Aythya nyroca, Haliaeetus leucoryphus, Aegypius monachus, Aquila clanga, Aquila heliaca, Circus macrourus, Falco cherrug and Coracias garrulus. Non-bird biodiversity: Fish: there are 2 species in the Pyandj river and its tributaries - Schizopygopsis stoliczcai and Schizothorax intermedius. Amphibia: Rana ridibunda and Bufo viridis. Reptilia: Vipera lebetina, Coluber ravergieri and Agama himalayana. Mammals: these are diverse with many endemic species. Common Rodents include Marmota caudata, Mus musculus and Alticola argentatus. From Leporidae: Lepus tolai and Ochotona roylei. Capra sibirica occurs in the mountains. Carnivores include Uncia uncia, Canis lupus, Vulpes vulpes, Mustela nivalis and Mustela erminea.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The vegetation of the IBA includes: mountain desert, mountain-xerophite, cryophilic vegetation, alpine steppes, forests and meadows. Rocks and screes cover more than 44% of the site. A large part of the IBA is used as pasture with the lower parts used as hayfields. There is also cultivation there. There are 16 settlements within the IBA, with a total population of more than 9,000 people. There are many geothermal springs which form the basis around which clinics and recreation zones are planned to be built. The majority of the IBA is state property.
Land use: agriculture (45%) | forestry | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 17 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 17 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 17 | |
| Grassland | 17 | |
| Shrubland | 17 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 17 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The IBA's ecosystems are in a satisfactory condition at present. Heavy rain presents the main threat for habitats because of soil erosion.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Agro-industry plantations | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |