Semey Ormany (Semipalatinsk Forest) (22142)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Semey Ormany (Semipalatinsk Forest)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 50.6833, Longitude: 79.9667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 300 to 400
Area of KBA (km2): 6441.64555
Protected area coverage (%): 99.78
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is situated at the northern margin of the Eastern Kazakhstan region, on the right bank of the Irtysh river, between the outskirts of the regional centre of Semipalatinsk extending south-easttowards the Russian border. The Semei Ormany forest consists of an extensive assemblage of pine forest belts and insular stands with an admixture of birch and aspen on the forest edges. The majority of the forest is on sandy soils. A feature of the area is the array of scattered waterbodies. The woodland contains many areas previously ravaged by fires of varying severity.
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: The avifauna is typical of large pine forests with low numbers of individual species. During surveys in 2005-2006, 101 species were recorded, of which nine are national conservation concern and four of international concern. Typical species include Parus montanus, Dendrocopus major, Buteo buteo, Streptopelia turtur and Lyrurus tetrix. Non-bird biodiversity: The majority of the forest consists of pines separated by glades and larger areas of steppe with abundant scrub and taller bushes. The edges of the large pine stands, as well as the the forest close to the Irtysh river flood valley, frequently incorporate stands of Willow, Poplar and various bushes including Bird cherry.
Habitats
Land use: forestry (100%) | hunting (70%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Forest | 65 | |
| Shrubland | 10 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: During the last half century, the area was subject to regular fires which reduced the mature stands to scattered patches of forest separated either by recently burnt areas or areas of slow regrowth. This reduced the number of natural forest glades, most convenient for the nesting of raptors. In addition, forestry practices encouraged the removal of old, mature trees which were important nest sites for many species.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Suppression in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Roads & railroads | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Karyakin I.V., Levin A.S., Barabashin T.O., Karpov F.F. Results of ornithological inspection of the fragments of forest-steppe massifs in the north-east of Kazakhstan, in 2005. / Birds of prey and their protection. 4, 2005, P. 34-43. (in Russian) Karpov F.F., Levin A.S., Karyakin I.V., Barabashin T.O. A set of data accrued through the cursory survey of forest-steppe massifs of Kazakhstan in 2005. // Kazakhstan Ornithological Bulletin, 2005. Almaty, 2006. P. 45-52. (in Russian) Kovshar A.F., Khrokov V.V. On ornithofauna of the Pavlodar-region-bound Trans-Irtysh area. // Fauna and biology of birds of Kazakhstan. Almaty, 1993,P. 133-144. (in Russian) Prokopov K.P., Starikov S.V., Bratash I. V. The Vertebrates of Eastern Kazakhstan. Ust’-Kamenogorsk, 2002, 206 p. (in Russian)