Russkiy Zharkol (31369)
Kazakhstan, Central Asia
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1b, A1c, A1d, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2013
National site name: Russkiy Zharkol
Central coordinates: Latitude: 50.2093, Longitude: 67.2895
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 390 to 396
Area of KBA (km2): 0
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The lake is located in the south part of the region in relation to the settlements: the Russkiy Zharkol lake is located in 25 km to the south-east of the city of Arkalyk, from which a field road leads to the lake through wheat fields; also it is located in 20 km to the south-west of Tersakan township (Matrosova). Administratively – on the territory of Arkalyk 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: The main reason for allocation of the area is due to its being well preserved and also its importance for migrating birds. Total number of species which are met here in different seasons is approximately over 50. Among them, more than 6 species are included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan and the International Red Book. The concentration of some of them is significant. In the periods of migrations, the following birds stop at the lake: Red-breasted Goose - Branta ruficollis, Lesser White-fronted Goose - Anser erythropus, Whooper Swan - Cygnus Cygnus.
Other site values: State - individual farmers.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The main reason for allocation of the area is due to its being well preserved and also its importance for migrating birds. Total number of species which are met here in different seasons is approximately over 50. Among them, more than 6 species are included in the Red Book of Kazakhstan and the International Red Book. The concentration of some of them is significant. In the periods of migrations, the following birds stop at the lake: Red-breasted Goose - Branta ruficollis, Lesser White-fronted Goose - Anser erythropus, Whooper Swan - Cygnus Cygnus. Such mammals as Grey Wolf, Red Fox, European Badger, wild boar, vole, European (brown) hare are typical for this area; in summer also saigas come to this area. The territories adjacent to water bodies are actively used for cultivating grain crops, in particular, wheat.
Land use: agriculture (20%) | hunting (20%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 30 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 27 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 30 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The use of lands, which are directly adjacent to the potential IBA, for sowing grain crops is to be considered as a factor promoting the increase of population density of birds of passage, as that provides birds with food and places of rests during autumn flights. On the other hand, ploughing up of the lands and grazing livestock are factors of disturbance in spring and autumn periods. And also the main threats are increase in hunting, poaching.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Motivation Unknown/Unrecorded | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Shifting agriculture | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Trend Unknown/Unrecorded | 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.Yu. 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 2011» Association for the Conservation of Biodiversity of Kazakhstan. Astana 2011. 4. Tymoshenko A.Yu., 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 5. Tymoshenko A.Yu. 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.