Karabas Mountains (22140)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Karabas Mountains
Central coordinates: Latitude: 46.8000, Longitude: 82.7667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 600 to 1273
Area of KBA (km2): 119.83877
Protected area coverage (%): 50.42
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is a small mountain range, branching from the southern part of the large Tarbagatai mountain massif, covering 16.9 x 8.7 km and is situated in the Makanchy district of the East Kazakhstan region, just north-west of the Chinese border. It is oriented south-east to north-west. The gently sloping northern side of the range is intermediate semi-desert/dry-steppe, while the southern part is predominantly barren and cut by numerous rocky gorges.
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: During the three year period of intra-seasonal study of the Karabas Range area, 110 species were recorded. Passerines are common, with wheatears and buntings being most numerous. Common breeding raptors are Saker, Steppe Eagle and Long-legged Buzzard. Non-bird biodiversity: Spirea bushes cover the floor of the gorges and depressions on the slopes.
Habitats
Land use: rangeland/pastureland (50%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 10 | |
| Grassland | 71 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Forest | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Fires and commercial exploitation are the priciple threats to Sakers and other birds of prey. These are being trapped and their nests robbed either for sale as hunting birds in the Arab states or for catering to the Chinese market in exotic foods.
| 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 | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Berezovikov N.N., Levin A.S. Ornithological outing into Tarbagatai region in June 2004. / Kazakhstan Ornithological Bulletin. Almaty, 2005, P. 80-83.