The Akjagaya IBA is situated in the depression of the Zaunguz Karakum to the southwest of Dashoguz city.
Key biodiversity
The avifauna of the IBA includes 240 species, basically from the desert complex. Rare species listed in the Red Data Book of Turkmenistan (1999) are: resident - Aquila chrysaetos, Falco cherrug, Bubo bubo; passage - Aquila heliaca, Circus macrourus, Buteo buteo, Circaetus gallicus.
Criterion А1 applies for Falco cherrug. Additional A1 species that occur but where there is insufficient data to justify their designation under this criterion are Aquila heliaca, Circus macrourus and Falco naumanni.
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals - more than 40 species recorded, half of which are rodents (20 species), the others comprise predators (8), chiropterans (5), insectivores (4) and ungulates (2). Reptiles are represented by 30 species.
Flora: about 450 species of higher plants. The vegetation of the depressions is represented by halophytes and salsolas, that of the fixed sands by a few species of Calligonum and the rare Salsola richteri.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Currently due to the site's remoteness from populated areas, the ecosystems of the IBA are considered to be in a stable condition. A potential threat is illegal hunting - trapping of saker falcons and the taking of nestlings.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
Studies by zoologists of the Dashoguz antiplague stations on the number of rodents (1960-1980).
Protected areas
Not protected.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Akjagaya. Downloaded from
http://www.birdlife.org on 23/03/2023.
