Pulatkhan Gorge (22144)
Uzbekistan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Pulatkhan Gorge
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.4385, Longitude: 70.1573
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2720 to 2823
Area of KBA (km2): 20.7479
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Pulathan plateau is a tabletop with steep and very high rocky walls descending to the Karaarcha, Akbulak, Tereklisay and Big Maydantal mountain rivers. The plateau is situated between 1,745 and 2,823m above sea level. There is juniper on all walls of the plateau. There is no permanent water except for a small spring in the south-eastern part. The last snowfields melt at the end of June and, as a result, two small brooks flow on the plateau temporarily. The greatest part of this water flows to karstic caves and disppears underground and only a small part reaches shallow man-made pits. The IBA contains all of the summit and walls of the plateau, which have natural borders and area of c 2,323 hectares.
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: Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals have been described by M.N.Korelov (1956) and some data was collected during IBA expeditions in 2006 and 2007. Species include Vulpes vulpes, Ursus arctos, Uncia uncial, Сapra sibirica, Marmota menzbieri and Spermophilus relictus. Reptiles - Pseudopos apodus, Eremias lineolata, Ablepharus deserti, Natrix tessellata and Gloydius halys. Fish are absent. The vegetation of the plateau has not been described.
Delineation rationale: Coordinates and area of this IBA were calculated with ArcGIS.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 25 | |
| Grassland | 70 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Unknown. Rangers have not visited the Pulathan plateau.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |