Batpakkol lake (31356)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2013
National site name: Batpakkol lake
Central coordinates: Latitude: 51.4182, Longitude: 62.6542
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 239 to 239
Area of KBA (km2): 26.98653
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The lake is located on northern gentle slope of the Sypsynagashsky hollow, and in relation to settlements - in 17 km to the West from the village of Druzhba, on the territory of the Kamystinsky district of Kostanay 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: Bid accumulations of migrating the Greater White-fronted Goose and Greylag Gooses are formed in spring and autumn migrations on the lake stop as well as Red-breasted Goose and Lesser White-fronted Goose stopping here. Also migrating Common Cranes, Mallard, Northern Shoveler are numerous. Criterion А1 is applicable for the Common Cranes, Lesser White-fronted Goose and a Whooper Swan. Criterion А4i is applicable in season migrations for a Common Crane, it is possible for a Greylag Goose, a Greater White-fronted Goose and some species of ducks.
Delineation rationale: The lake is located on northern gentle slope of the Sypsynagashsky hollow, and in relation to settlements - in 17 km to the West from the village of Druzhba, on the territory of the Kamystinsky district of Kostanay region. Batpakkol Lake: The artificial reservoir is located on northern gentle slope of Sypsynagash hollow in the south of Kamystinsky district. The size of the lake’s hollow is 2 x 2 km, area is about 310 hectares, and depth of water is up to 3 m. The surrounding landscapes are presented by sloping-ridge forb sand and feather-grass steppes. The thickets of reed are only in the coastal area of the lake. Adjacent steppe territories are hilly. Rich reed thickets of bordery-clump type with an extensive central stretch are typical for the lake. A part of the lake is shallow with tuberous reed thickets (Phragmites australis, Bolboshoenus maritimus). There are thickets of a Morass-weed (Ceratophyllum demersum) and pondgrass. The lake is known as an important place of stops of geese, including Red-breasted Geese and Lesser White-fronted Geese on spring and autumn flights. For shallow waters, mainly on flooded sites in the spring behind the external edge of reed thickets, communities of Narrow-leaved cat's-tail (Typha angustifolia) and Bulrush (Scirpus lacustris) are typical. Commercial fishery is conducted on the lake; there are trailers for shepherds, shelters for cattle and irrigation vegetable gardens. The closest arable lands of grain-crops are in 7-9 km. The closest settlements are situated far away; summer herds of cattle are on the east coast. There is local traffic on field roads. There are no junkyards observed around water reservoirs.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The lake is known as an important place of stops of geese, including Red-breasted Geese and Lesser White-fronted Geese. Total 35 species of waterbirds are registered in this place. The lake Batpakkol was an important wetland this year as well. Despite of its small size toadstools, geese and ducks inhabit here. The reedstands are only in a coastal area of the lake. Adjacent steppe territories are hilly. The most numerous bird species were the following: Red-breasted Goose - 550, the Greylag Goose - 450, the Common Crane - 292 and Northern Shoveler - 292 Greater White-fronted Goose 3400 and also 86 Lesser White-fronted Gееse were registered. Red-breasted Goose, Lesser White-fronted Goose, Steppe Eagle, Common Crane, Whooper Swan are including in tht Red Book of Kazakhstan. The powerful reed thickets of bordery-curtain type with an extensive central reach are typical for the lake. A part of the lake is shallow with tuberous reed thickets (Phragmites australis, Bolboshoenus maritimus). There are thickets of Morass-weed (Ceratophyllum demersum) and pondgrass. Communities of Narrow-leaved cat's-tail (Typha angustifolia) and Bulrush (Scirpus lacustris) are typical for shallow mainly flooded in spring areas behind the external edge of reed thickets. Such mammals as Grey Wolf, Red Fox, Corsac Fox, European Badger, Steppe Vole, Northern mole vole, Long-eared hedgehog, European Hare inhabit the area. The nearest cultivations of grain crops (in particular wheat) are located in 7-9 km to a reservoir, and also in summertime in the territory there are cattle pasture. Annually small sites are till under melon fields and kitchen gardens, which watering water from the lake.
Land use: agriculture (45%) | fisheries/aquaculture (10%) | rangeland/pastureland (25%) | water management (10%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 15 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 45 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 15 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threat to steppe and coastal ecosystems and also nesting birds is represented by fires, caused by careless handling of fire, faulty equipment and, possibly, arsons in malice. Fishermen have concern about deaths of birds in fishing nets and as a result of poaching.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Fishing & harvesting aquatic resources | Unintentional effects: subsistence/small scale (species being assessed is not the target) [harvest] | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | 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 4. Timoshenko A.J., Report: «An assessment of a condition of lakes, definition of influence of hunting on places of stops of a Lesser White-fronted Goose (Anser erythropus) on spring flight in Kostanaysky area and adjacent territories in 2012» Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan. Astana 2012.