Uil River and Taysoygan Sands (23414)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Uil River and Taysoygan Sands
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.8333, Longitude: 53.5167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 21 to 27
Area of KBA (km2): 313.09789
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA consists of the lower reaches of the Uyl river and adjoining Taisoigan Sands on the left bank, between the villages of Akkura and Balabeiyt, and covers a length of 20 km with a width of the sands and floodplain of about 5-6 km. Here the Uyl river occurs as separate reaches or deeps (30-40 m in diameter) with narrow streams between them and reedbeds on the banks. There are no high cliffs and only single bushes or trees of Russian olive (Elaeagnus sp.). Along the river, high-grass vegetation of Sophora, licorice and gramineous plants predominates with, in some places, Tamarix thickets. The dominant floodplain vegetation is fescue, wormwood and Limonium. It is more similar aa dried floodplain meadow than to steppe. The Taisoigan Sands consist of undulating dunes almost completely and evenly covered with tall grass (including dark wormwood, Sophora and alhagi) and low bushes, mainly Calligonum. There are scattered groups of bushes and even trees (mainly poplars).
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: In June 2006, 59 species were recorded in 3 days, though 70-80 species ae thought to breed. The breeding avifauna is characterized by desert species (Pterocles orientalis, Calandrella larks, Oenanthe isabellina, Lanius excubitor pallidirostris, L. phoenicuroides, Sylvia curruca), floodplain bush species (Emberiza bruniceps, Lanius minor), steppe species (Melanocorhypha yeltoniensis, M. calandra, Alauda arvensis) and waterbirds (Vanellus vanellus, Tringa ochropus, Numenius arquata, Sterna hirundo, Chlidonias leucopterus, Anas strepera, A. querquedula etc.). A number of species here are at the north-western border of their distribution in Kazakhstan and others on the south-eastern. Generally, the avifauna of the area is insufficiently studied. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals include susliks and gerbils which are common and the major prey of Imperial Eagles. In the sands, lizards are common, and near the river Natrix natrix and N. tesselata occur.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Mainly cattle grazing. Cutting of trees for fire-wood in the Taisoigan Sands. The Uyl river between Miyaly and Akkura is regulated by an earth dam now overgrown with tall willows and there are several irrigation channels, and a large high-grass water-meadow. The Taisoigan Sands have a mainly natural look.
Land use: rangeland/pastureland (85%) | water management (5%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Desert | 85 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Illegal hunting.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Dams (size unknown) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Kovshar, A.F., Davygora, A.V. and Karpov, F.F. (2006). Ornithological observations in Ural-Emba interfluves (Temir, Sagiz, Uyl, Bolshaya Khobda) in June 2006. Selevinia-2006: 63-81. (in Russian). Varshavskiy, S.N., Varshavskiy, B.S and Garbusov, V.K. (1977). Some rare and vanishing birds of Northern Trans-Aral Territory. Rare and vanishing animals and birds of Kazakhstan. Alma-Ata: 146-152. (in Russian).