Sagyz (23415)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2006
National site name: Sagyz
Central coordinates: Latitude: 48.2833, Longitude: 54.6833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 40 to 44
Area of KBA (km2): 109.83295
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The IBA is a slightly undulating desert/semidesert plain, with “white” wormwood, in some places mixed with Graminea including Stipa sp, on the right bank of the Saghz river, 9-29 km to the west-north-west of Saghyz railway station. The average width of the area is 5 km. The soils are hard, sandy and salty, with patches of almost white clay. Along the river, which is 25-30 m wide, there are Tamarix thickets, in some places at least 100-150 m wide. There are precipitous banks suitable for the breeding of sand martins and other hole-nesters. 'Real' tree vegetation is absent.
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, 62 species were observed in the area during 4 days and about 70 species are estimated to breed. Five species are included in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan – Steppe Eagle, Demoiselle Crane, Little Bustard, Pallas’s Sandgrouse and Black-bellied Sandgrouse.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Mainly pasture, at a moderate intensity.
Land use: rangeland/pastureland (50%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 1 | |
| Desert | 84 | |
| Shrubland | 10 |
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 |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: 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). 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).