Kattakurgan Reservoir (22280)
Uzbekistan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2017
National site name: Kattakurgan Reservoir
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.7812, Longitude: 66.2558
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 503 to 543
Area of KBA (km2): 140.41659
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Katta-Kurgan water reservoir is situated to the south of Kattakurgan in a natural depression. Tree and shrub plantations (pistachio, oleaster, acacia, maple and others) cover 2,600 ha along the southern, south-eastern and western banks. The reservoir gets its water from the Kara-darya river, which is a right branch of the Zaravshan river. The reservoir fills in autumn, winter and spring. Water is used for irrigation from May to June. The reservoir freezes for a short time in winter. Emergent vegetation is not developed because of water level fluctuations. The phytoplankton of the reservoir is poor in species composition and numbers.
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. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Mountains of Central Asia Hotspot (2017). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2016 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: 115 species have been recorded, 61 of them breeding. Falconiformes - 13 species, waterbirds – 52 species, of which 14 are Anseriformes, 18 shorebirds, 6 Ciconiiformes, 5 Laridae, 3 Rallidae and 2 each of Podicipediformes, Pelecaniformes and Gruidae. The Kattkurgan district is situated in the low mountains, so larks are typical species. Melanocorypha calandra and Melanocorypha bimaculata are widespread. Calandrella cinerea and Alauda gulgula are common in wormwood areas. Before development Pterocles alchata, Pterocles orientalis and Chlamydotis undulata bred. Buteo rufinus, Falco tinnunculus, Galerida cristata, Oenanthe hispanica are common. Emberiza bruniceps, Lanius isabellinus, Streptopelia turtur, Hippolais rama, Cercotrichas galactotes and Pica pica are typical of the tamarisk-haloxylon thickets. Motacilla feldegg, Hippolais rama, Coturnix coturnix and Circus aeruginosus occur in wet areas with meadow vegetation near the reservoir. The reservoir is a site for congregatory waterbirds. The most numerous are: Anas platyrhynchos, Aythya ferina, Anas crecca, Anas strepera, Anas clypeata, Fulica atra, Mergellus albellus, Bucephala clangula and Anser anser. Himantopus himantopus and Charadrius dubius are common nesting species, Recurvirostra avosetta, Haematopus ostralegus, Vanellus vanellus and Philomachus pugnax are rare. Larus ridibundus, Larus cachinnans, Sterna hirundo, Sterna nilotica and Sterna albifrons are numerous. Ciconiiformes include Ardea cinerea, Egretta alba, Botaunus stellaris and Ixobrychus minutus. Phalacrocorax carbo and Phalacrocorax pygmaeus previously bred. There are 10 species of birds included in the National Red Book. Four species breed (Phalacrocorax pygmaeus, Phasianus colchicus, Chlamydotis undulata, Pterocles alchata). This site plays an important role in the protection of Chlamydotis undulata and Pterocles alchata. Many species of birds stop to rest and feed during spring and autumn migration. Non-bird biodiversity: There are 13 species of fish in the reservoir. Barbus capito conocephalus, Capaetobrama kuschakewitschi and Sabanejewia aurata are included in the National Red Book. Reptiles around the reservoir total 11 species including Varanus griseus and Testudo horsfieldi. Mammals - 26 species have been recorded.
Delineation rationale: Coordinates and area of this IBA were calculated with ArcGIS.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: There is a steady anthropogenic influence on the ecosystems of the IBA at present. Landuse: water management, fishing and recreation for local people.
Land use: agriculture (5%) | fisheries/aquaculture (46%) | forestry (27%) | nature conservation and research (10%) | tourism/recreation (10%) | water management (46%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 18 | |
| Shrubland | 9 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 27 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 46 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are regular fishing by local people and high levels of recreation and disturbance.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Agro-industry plantations | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: large scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Report 2007. Research of Kattakurgan water reservoir, Fundukchiev S.E., Belyalova L.E./ Important Bird Areas of Uzbekistan Project.