Western Alai, Kok-Suu river (27424)
Kyrgyzstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Western Alai, Kok-Suu river
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.6033, Longitude: 72.1883
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2100 to 3000
Area of KBA (km2): 611.66757
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Administratively situated 8 km south-west of Darsut-Korgon village, where Kok-Suu and Kizil-Suu rivers merge. Floodplain of Kizil-Suu river bed is shrubs and bushes, as well as small-leaved shrub willow. Terrain is clay-stony semi-desert, in some places with rock outcrops. The length of Kizil-Suu river is 50-150 m with gravel.
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: Site hosts more than 150 bird species. Species are seen during the fall migration include Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos), Teal (Anas crecca), Garganey (Anas querquedula) and Shoveler (Anas clypeata). Lesser kestrel (Falco naumanni), Oriental Turtle Dove (Streptopelia orientalis) and Sand martin (Riparia riparia)breed here.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (10%) | forestry (30%) | hunting (50%) | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 20 | |
| Shrubland | 28 | |
| Forest | 20 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 12 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 8 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 4 | |
| Desert | 8 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are afforestation 40%, fires 15%, logging and sanitary logging.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Wood & pulp plantations | Small-holder plantations | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Logging & wood harvesting | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Kidiraliev A. K. (1975) On the distribution of avian fauna of Alai valley.// Problems of geography p. 147-148 Kidiraliev A. K. (1977) Bar-headed Goose, Ibisbil and Black stork in Tian-Shan-Alai mountain system. // VII- Pan Soviet Union Ornithological conference. Kiev p. 225-226 Kidiraliev A. K (1992) Features of landscape-ecological formations of birds in Alai valley.// Bio resources of Kyrgyzstan. Bishkek p100-102 Kumushaliev B.K. (1978) Number of migratory birds in Alai valley.// Thesis of pan Soviet Union conference about Birds migrations Kumushaliev B. K. (1980) Towards the study Columbidae of Alai valley.// Biology of animals and plants and environmental conservation. Frunze p. 34-35
Contributors: Data-sheet compiled in 2006 by B. C. Kumusaliev (researcher, BIP NAN PROVINCE), received by BirdLife Cambridge May 2008, translated by Tsovinar Hovhannisyan in summer 2010, entered into WBDB by Rory McCann in autumn 2010.