Shagyrkol and Mamyrkol lakes (31355)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2013
National site name: Shagyrkol and Mamyrkol lakes
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.6755, Longitude: 62.6723
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 259 to 265
Area of KBA (km2): 18.96385
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Shagyrkol lake is located in the central part of the Sypsynagashsky hollow, in 10 km to the southwest from the Svobodnoe village, where there is an earth road to the lake. Mamyrkol lake is located in 9 km to the northwest from village Svobodnoe and in 20 km to the southwest from village Druzhba. Both lakes are located on the territory of the Kamystinsky district of Kostanaysky region
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: Lakes are used as a place of a stop for migrating waterbirds, with the total single number up to 50 000 individuals. Red-breasted Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Whooper Swan, Common Crane and Steppe Eagle refer to the most important globally threatened migrants species including in the Red Book of Kazakhstan. Many of species – Greylag Geese (more than 1 % of population) and Greater White-fronted Geese Long (more than 1 % of population) stop on the lake. A Grey crane stops here regularly. Thus, lakes of Shagyrkol and Mamyrkol are key places of stops of migrating anseriformes birds, including globally threatened species. From mammals the Grey Wolf, Red Fox, European Badger inhabit the territory.
Delineation rationale: Shagyrkol lake is located in the central part of the Sypsynagashsky hollow, in 10 km to the southwest from the Svobodnoe village, where there is an earth road to the lake. Mamyrkol lake is located in 9 km to the northwest from village Svobodnoe and in 20 km to the southwest from village Druzhba. Both lakes are located on the territory of the Kamystinsky district of Kostanaysky region
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Lakes are an important habitat of waterbirds in the periods of nesting and seasonal migrations in particular. Mew Gull and Little Gull, Common Coot, Great Crested Grebe and Red-necked Grebe are the most numerous on nesting. From among globally threatened species of waterbirds Whooper Swan nests here. During spring and autumn passages Greater White-fronted Geese and Greylag Geese form big on the lake with Red-breasted Goose and Red-breasted Goose stopping here too. Migrating Common Cranes, Mallard and Oystercatchers are numerous too. Thus, the lake supports a great number of populations of waterbirds, including rare and globally threatened ones, in spring and autumn migrations. Criterion А1 is using for the Red-breasted Goose and Lesser White-fronted Goose. Criterion А4i is using for Common Crane, Whooper Swan, it is possible for a Greylag Goose, Greater White-fronted Goose and some species of ducks in seasonal migrations.
Land use: agriculture (50%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | hunting (40%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 30 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 | |
| Grassland | 20 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Use of lands adjacent to the potential IBA for growing grain-crops (wheat) to be considered as a factor that undoubtedly promotes increase of density of populations of migrating birds as it provides birds with food and places of rest during autumn flights. On the other hand ploughing up lands and grazing of livestock are factors of disturbance of birds during spring and autumn periods. And also the main threats are increase of hunting, poaching and unstable water schedule.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of ground water (unknown use) | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Habitat shifting & alteration | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: 1. Report: «Monitoring of autumn migration Siberian Crane and other globally threatened species of waterbirds on design sites and adjacent territories of Kostanaysky region in 2008 year» Forest and Hunting Committee of Ministry of Agriculture of Republic of Kazakhstan. Regional Project UNEP/GEF «Development of flyways and wetlands for conservation Siberian Crane and other waterbirds in Asia» in the Republic of Kazakhstan. ((in Russian) 2. Bragin, E.A., Bragin, T.M. (2002) Wetlands in system of natural complexes of Northern Kazakhstan. Overall performance and nature protection sense. p. 19-38 in T.M.Bragin, E.A.Bragin, an edition. The most important Wetlands of Northern Kazakhstan (within the Kostanaysky and western part North Kazakhstan regions). Moscow: Russian university (WWF series, publication 5). (in Russian) 3. Timoshenko A.J., Rosenfeld S.B., Report: «Autumn monitoring of a goose-piskulki (Anser erythropus) and other species of geese and brand gееse on reservoirs of Kostanaysky area and adjacent territories in 2011» Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan. Astana 2011