Ters-Ashchibulak Reservoir (22148)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Ters-Ashchibulak Reservoir
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.6833, Longitude: 70.9000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 930 to 955
Area of KBA (km2): 33.10482
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The waterbody is situated close to the northern foothills of the Western Tian-Shen within the Dzhuvaly valley and abutting, from the north-east, the Chokpak Pass. This, in turn, straddles the Dzhabaglytau mountains which form the northern massif of the Talassky Alatau Range and Borolday mountains, themselves constituting the southern branch of the Karatau Range. Administratively the site lies in the most southerly part of the Zhambyl Region, just to the north of the international border between Kazakhstan and Kyrghyzstan. The site lies in an area between parallel sections of motorway and railway lines connecting the regional centres of Taraz and Shymkent. The waterbody has been created artificially at the upper middle flow of the Assa river that rises in the Karatau mountain range and drains eastwards through the Dzhuvaly valley. As water levels are controlled the size and shape of the reservoir shows significant alterations seasonally. Its maximum size (8.7 x 1.7 km) is reached in April-May, September-October and in winter. The dam occupies the whole of the eastern shore. The northern shore consists of various rock outcroppings and the southern and western shores are smooth and devoid of vegetation. The higher sections of the gently sloping shore are covered by dry meadows. All relatively level plots of the adjacent steppe have been converted to arable land. The major crops of the area are cereals, vegetables, safflower and alfalfa. Only a few slopes of the nearby hills retain their natural cover of steppe vegetation with Agropyron-Festuca predominant.
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 site is an important resting area for large numbers of migrants crossing the Chokpak mountain pass. Most numerous are ducks, gulls, cranes and waders. In general birds of prey and Passerines tend not to linger due to the open nature of the site, the exception being several species of lark.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (25%) | fisheries/aquaculture (20%) | hunting (30%) | rangeland/pastureland (5%) | water management (60%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 25 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 66 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 3 | |
| Desert | 1 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The suitability of the reservoir for roosting waterbirds varies in relation to changes in water level and water area. Other anthropogenic influences include fishing, hunting, grazing and watering of cattle.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Gavrilov E.I., Ghistsov A.P. (1985) Seasonal passage of birds at the foothills of Western Tyan-Shan. Alma-Ata. (In Russian) Gavrilov E.I. Monitoring of numbers of several species of birds of prey on their autumnal passage through the foothills of WesterN Tyan-Shan. // Selevinia, 1996-1997, P. 134-142. (In Russian)