Manyrak Mountains (22286)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Manyrak Mountains
Central coordinates: Latitude: 47.5000, Longitude: 84.1500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 800 to 1934
Area of KBA (km2): 2514.84213
Protected area coverage (%): 90.19
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA occupies the whole area of the north-western slope of the medium-sized Manyrak mountain range situated in the southern part of the Zaisan Depression. The range stretches 65 km from east-west and the highest point is 1,934 m asl. The mountains are of fairly arid aspect, with a few small rivers running down towards Zaisan lake. The northern slope consists of several rocky massifs separated by valleys and cut by the course of the south-north running canyon of the Kusty river. The range is located close to the Chinese border.
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: An 8 years study of the local avifauna recorded 121 species of bird. Typical Passerines are buntings (Emberiza bruniceps, E. buchanani and E. cioides) and Oenanthe pleschanka. Of predators the most common nesting species are hybrids of Buteo rufinus and Buteo hemilasius, Falco cherrug and Aquila nipalensis.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Though the area can largely be regarded as the unspoiled wildnerness, during the height of bird breeding activities the site is suffers considerable disturbance from people harvesting natural 'plantations' of Allium sp. on a large scale. Additionally in autumn the site sometimes suffers from the attentions of Saker trappers, and local poachers sometimes raid other pedators' nests with the aim of subsequent trading with Arab hunting entrepreneurs.
Land use: rangeland/pastureland (25%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 65 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 30 | |
| Shrubland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is obvious under-grazing of steppe areas leading to a deterioration in habitat quality and feeding opportunities for raptors.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Only in the past and unlikely to return |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Berezovikov N.N., Levin A.S. Materials elucidating the state of Manyrak Mountain Range ornithofauna. Non-Passerines. “Selevinia”, 2006. P. 55-62. (in Russian) Levin A.S., Berezovikov N.N. State of Eastern Kazakstan population of Falo cherrug and the perspectives of its conservation. (in Russian) Berezovikov N.N., Levin A.S., Annekov B.P., Shmygalyov S.S. Results of monitoring of Falco cherrug breeding populations in Kazakhstan // Transactions of Zoology Institute, V. 48. Ornithology, Almaty, 2004, P. 195-204. (in Russian)