Tentek River Delta (23302)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2007
National site name: Tentek River Delta
Central coordinates: Latitude: 46.4167, Longitude: 81.0000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 350 to 363
Area of KBA (km2): 449.46916
Protected area coverage (%): 39.54
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is situated 20 km to the north of Usharal and covers the southern corner of the Sasykkol lake delta of the Tentek river and a substantial part (25 x 25 km) of adjacent desert lying, mostly, within the Alakol State Nature Reserve. The IBA contains a mature natural complex of well-developed wetland systems: vast reedbeds amid the shallow open waters of the lake and a network of channels and marshes. In the upper parts of the delta there is a solid stretch of riverine forest running along the final integral section of the Tentek river and consisting mostly of Poplar, Willow and Maple. The adjoining land consists mostly of motley-herbage meadows, alkaline land complexes or Atriplex-overgrown desert.
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 Tentek delta provides suitable habitat for a wide range of species, especially waterbirds. During the breeding season, the number of nesting birds can reach 10,000 individuals, while the total during migration may vary from 25,000 to 40,000 birds. The site is especially important for species of global and/or regional conservation concern including Pelecanus crispus, Aythya nyroca, Oxyura leucocephala, Platalea leucorodia and Otis tarda. Non-bird biodiversity: Several species of mammals, some of which are important game animals, occur in the delat and surround areas including Sus scrofa, Capreolus pygargus, Vulpes corsac, Vulpes vulpes and Canis lupus. The site has thriving populations of Mustela nivalis, Mustela erminea, Mustela eversmanni and others small mammals.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The area of the reserve is free of all economic development or activity bar scientific research and conservation. However, the majority of land surrounding the delta has either been reclaimed for small-scale agriculture or used for grazing.
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (20%) | forestry | nature conservation and research (80%) | rangeland/pastureland (20%) | tourism/recreation (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Forest | 1 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 1 | |
| Desert | 20 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 69 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The welfare of the site is affected by two major factors. One is an unstable hydrological regime caused by the partial diversion of the flow of the river Tentek for irrigation. The other, lesser, problem is disturbance caused by increasing cattle grazing.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | 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: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Small-holder farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Transportation & service corridors | Flight paths | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Temperature extremes | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Berezovikov N.N. Birds of Alakol Nature Reserve// Transactions of Alakol State Nature Reserve. Almaty, 2004, V.1, P. 199-256. (in Russian)