Dunhuang Nature Reserve and Western Qilian Shan mountains (27238)
China (mainland), Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2009
National site name: Dunhuang Nature Reserve and Western Qilian Shan mountains
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.0000, Longitude: 96.4167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1100 to 5798
Area of KBA (km2): 2216.56432
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Located in the western part of Gansu Province, adjacent to Qinghai Province. The climate of this mountainous IBA is temperate semi-arid, and the habitats range from steppe to semi-desert, but there are also grasslands, scrub and broadleaf forests. The human population is low and mostly relies on herding, with agricultural activities in a few areas. The Qilian Shan and Mazong Shan mountains are important pathways for migratory birds.
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: Non-bird biodiversity: Many protected mammals are found in this nature reserve, such as Snow Leopard, Lynx, Mongolian Wild Ass, Tibetan Wild Ass, Wild Camel etc.
Delineation rationale: 2009: the three 2004 IBAs of Dunhuang Nature Reserve (SitRecID 15508; CN163; 3,600,000 ha), Western Qilian Shan mountains (15507; CN161; 2,880,000 ha) and Anxi Nature Reserve (15506; CN162; 800,000 ha) have been merged to form the 2009 IBA Dunhuang Nature Reserve and Western Qilian Shan mountains (27238; CN159; 7,280,000 ha).