Chimkurgan Reservoir (22138)
Uzbekistan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2017
National site name: Chimkurgan Reservoir
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.9650, Longitude: 66.4075
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 476 to 494
Area of KBA (km2): 41.24471
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is situated 60-70 km north-east of Karshi town. It belongs to the Kamashi and Chirakchi (south-eastern part of the reservoir) districts of Karshinskaya province. The reservoir is of the channel storage type and is located in the Kashkadarya river basin. The area of the reservoir is 44.4 km2, with a length of 17.5 km, maximum width of 5.5 km, average depth of 17.2 m, and a maximum depth of 30m. Its water is used for irrigation. The area has an acutely continental climate with hot and long summers, and short winters with little snow.
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. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Mountains of Central Asia Hotspot (2017). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2016 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: 172 species of 15 orders have been recorded in the Kashkadarya river valley (Meklenburtsev, 1958). Сiconiiformes - 5 (2.90%), Anseriformes - 7 (4.06%), Falconiformes - 21(12.20%), Galliformes – 4 (2.32%), Gruiformes - 5 (2.90%), Charadriiformes - 22 (12.79%), Columbiformes - 9 (5.23 %), Cuculiformes - 1 (0.58%), Strigiformes - 4 (2.32%), Caprimulgiformes - 1 (0.58 %), Apodiformes – 2 (1.16%), Coraciiformes - (2.32%), Upupiformes - 1 (0.58%), Piciformes - 2 (1.16%) and Passeriformes - 84 (48.83%). According to the literature (Meklenburtsev, 1958) Crex crex was recorded once during autumn migration near Chirakchi and Aythya nyroca once on the Kashkadarya river. Coracias garrulus is common and numerous breeding in the steep loess banks of the Kashkadarya (Meklenburtsev, 1958). The IBA surveys were in winter and early spring, so there is no more detailed information about current numbers of this species. Non-bird biodiversity: R.N. Meklenburtsev (1958) published data on the vertebrate animals in the Kashkadarya river valley. From insectivores, Hemiechinus auritus is common and H.hypomelas was found once. There are 5 species of Chiroptera but they are not numerous and are only found sporadically. Predators include Vulpes vulpes (widespread) and Canis aureus, C.lupus and Felis lybica are rare. Sus scrofa was recorded between Shahrisabs and Chirakchi. Of Rodents, Spermophilus fulvus, Rhombomis opinus and Ellobius tancrei are widespread. Reptiles are represented by 28 species: Testudines – 1 species (Agrionemis horsfieldi), lizards – 16 species, with Cyrtopodion caspius, Trapelus sanguinolentus and Phrynocephalus interckapularis being common; Varanus griseus is more rare. There are 11 species of snakes with Natrix tessellata, Coluber karelini and Psammophis lineolatum being common. Amphibia are represented by Rana ridibunda and Bufo viridis. Fish include Carssius auratus gibelio, Alburnoides bipunctatus eichwaldi, Varicorhynus capoeta, Heratensis nation steindachneri, Sabanejewia aurata aralensis, Nemacheilus malapterurus longicaudata, N. amudarjensis, N. oxianus, N. stoliczkai in the Kashkadarya river. The present ichthyofauna of the Kashkadarya river basin contains 23 species and subspecies (Mirzaev, 2000).
Delineation rationale: Coordinates and area of this IBA were calculated with ArcGIS.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: There are thick layers of river alluviums on which fertile soils were formed. Grey-brown and loamy grey-brownish soils are dominant. The littoral vegetation consists of reed, cat-tail, Myriophyllum and Utricularia. Submerged vegetation consists of different algae. According to the last surveys (2000-2006) there is intense silting up of the reservoir, overgrowing by vegetation and water levels are falling every year. Adjacent areas are ephemeral desert. The dominant species are: Аrtemisia sogdiana, A. seronita, and perennial herbs with a long growing period. There is a sparse cover of annual glasswort on saline soils (Korovin, Pelt et al, 1968).
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | water management (25%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Desert | 20 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 35 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The gradual siting up the Chimkurgan Reservoir.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Industrial aquaculture | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Pollution | Agricultural & forestry effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Only in the future | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Only in the future | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |