Northern part of the Assake-Audan depression (22283)
Uzbekistan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2008
National site name: Northern part of the Assake-Audan depression
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.5915, Longitude: 56.3075
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 46 to 78
Area of KBA (km2): 52.91318
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is located in the south of the Karakalpak Ustyurt in the Asske-Audan depression. In the past the southern parts of the Assake-Audan and Sarykamish Depressions formed a common lake basin through which the Amudarya flowed and where the Uzboy river began flowing into the Kaspiy. Currently this is rather deep depression is difficult to access and has well-marked precipices in some places. There are several artesian wells with brackish water in the depression. There are dense thickets of reed and tamarisk around the wells covering about 2.5 km2. The site includes part of the depression and the adjoining highlands in the north and north-west with Haloxylon forests.
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 number of species occurring at Assake-Audan is not known accurately as it is a place where many species passing the Ustyurt Plateau stop. Their occurrence is connected with the availability of water. Also Assake-Audan is situated between the Kaspiy, the Aral and the northern part of Sarykamysh lake so that it functions as a staging post for birds on several intersecting of flyways. Two days of IBA fieldwork recorded Ardea cinerea, Accipiter nisus, Circus cyaneus, Rallus aquaticus, Calandrella rufescens, Hirundo rustica, Motacilla alba, Luscinia svecica, Cettia cetti, Sylvia curruca, Phylloscopus collybita, Fringilla coelebs, Fringilla montifringilla, Rhodospiza obsoletus, Passer domesticus, Sturnus vulgaris, Emberiza bruniceps and Corvus frugilegus. The remains of a dead gull were also found. Non-bird biodiversity: The mammal fauna is very similar to that of the Ustyurt in general. Typical species include Ovis vignei (UzRDB) which was present in 1956; and Gazella subgutturosa (UzRDB) and Saiga tatarica (RL). Paraemichinus hupomelas (UzRDB) and Testudo horsfieldi (RL) occur according to the literature. Flora: Malococarpus crithmifolius and Euphortia sclerocyathium are included in the National Red Book.
Delineation rationale: Coordinates and area of this IBA were calculated with ArcGIS.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Research drilling activities on the availability of minerals were carried out on the bottom of the depression in the past. Now all drilling is suspended.
Land use: energy production and mining (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 85 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 10 | |
| Shrubland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Drilling people from Shahpahty visit the depression to collect water from the wells.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy production & mining | Oil & gas drilling | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Data of the UZ IBA Uz Expedition, October 2007. Report.