Oygaing River Valley (22145)
Uzbekistan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Oygaing River Valley
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.0700, Longitude: 70.8500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1400 to 4395
Area of KBA (km2): 1375.77212
Protected area coverage (%): 99.14
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA covers part of the basin of the Pskem river (the middle section of the Oygaing river and adjoining southern mountainside of the Maydantal range in the Western Tyan-Shan), in the Bostanlyk district of Tashkent region. The borders of the IBA are well defined. The site covers all of the southern mountainside of the Mayantal range from the Oygaing river to the ridge of the range, from the mouth of the Tyuzashu river valley to the mouth of the eastern Ayutor river and includes the slopes of these river valleys. The altitude ranges from 1,900-3,050 m above sea level.
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: The distribution of some birds in the Western Tyan-Shan is very interesting and Eremophila alpestris and Carpodacus grandis are completely absent. The avifauna includes 213 species, including Ciconia nigra, Aegypius monachus, Gypaetus barbatus and Aquila chrysaetos which are included in the national Red Data Book. M.N.Korelov (1956) recorded Columba eversmanni here. The Pskem valley runs from south-west to north-east and in spring serves as a major migration route, especially for large species which take the shortest route and avoid the strong anthropogenic influence in the foothills. Grus virgo, Ciconia nigra and raptors are common. The IBA is situated in the widest, middle part of the valley, has a lot of water and provides safe roosting away from settlements. Aegypius monachus, Gyps fulvus, Gyps hymalayensis and a large complex of mountain species occur on the surrounding slopes. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals include 38 species, the most intersting are increasing populations of Uncia uncia and Cervus elaphus songaricus. Sus scrofa, Canis lupus, Ursus arctos isabellinus and Lynx lynx are common. Marmota caudata and Ochotona rutila are numerous and Capra sibirica occurs.
Delineation rationale: Coordinates and area of this IBA were calculated with ArcGIS. The IBA ‘Valley of Oygaing river’ border begins at the confluence of Anaulgensay river to the Pskem river. Then it goes up to the north along the watershed between Anaulgensay and Karakyzsay to the state border. Then it goes along state border and Ugam, Talass-Alatau and Pskem mountain ridges. Along Pskem ridge goes till Sarybatugay pass, located at the top of watershed between Ikhnachsay and Koksu. From this point the boundary extends to the west and northwest along the watershed Ikhnachsay with Koksu, then rounding Ikhnachsay valley from west, it comes to the gorges and goes down to the river Ikhnachsay near meteorological station at point N41.95 E70.47. From last point it goes down till Pskem river near confluence of Anaulgensay in it.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Other | 27 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 | |
| Grassland | 53 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 16 | |
| Forest | 2 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats: poaching of large ungulates and snow leopard by local people.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |