Karkyra Valley (27419)
Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Karkyra Valley
Central coordinates: Latitude: 42.7217, Longitude: 79.2100
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1800 to 2750
Area of KBA (km2): 150.398
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The valley is confined in the north by Ketmenski and Kegetsky mountain ranges (Kazakhstan), in the south by Terski Ala Too mountain range. The relief is dominated by foothill- adyr plains, hilly valley. Precipitation up to 370 mm per year. Main rivers are Karkira, Kelen and Tekes. The highway passes along the valley. In landscapes dominated steppe and meadow formations of different types. Forests are spruce and deciduous trees species. Shrubs and wetlands are present in river valleys.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: Mass migration of Demoiselle crane (Grus virgo) in April. Ibisbill (Ibidorhyncha struthersii) is seen in fall and early spring. Rare birds recorded here are Black stork (Ciconia nigra) and Saker falcon (Falco cherrug). Site is along the mass passage route of passerine, waders and Anatidae
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry | hunting | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 20 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 20 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 20 | |
| Grassland | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Agricultural intensification, fires, drainage, logging and selective logging
| 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: Toropov V. I., Yeremchenko B. K. (1980) Migration of birds in Karkira gorge (Kyrgyzstan).// Migration of birds in Asia, Dushanbe. P. 119-124 Encyclopaedia: Narin, Issyk-Kul Yanushevich A. I. (1959) Birds of Kyrgyzstan. Yanushevich A. I. (1978) Bird migrations in Kyrgyzstan, Frunze
Contributors: Data-sheet compiled in 2006 by K. Eremčenko, received by BirdLife Cambridge May 2008, translated by Tsovinar Hovhannisyan in summer 2010, entered into WBDB by Rory McCann in autumn 2010.