Data Zone
Country/territory: China (mainland)
IBA criteria met: A1, A2, A3, A4i, A4iii (2009)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 290,000 ha
Site description (2009 baseline)
Located 70 km east south-east of Aksu City and 700 km south-west of Urumqi. The IBA has rich water resources, including the Aksu and Tarim rivers and many reservoirs. However, rapid human population growth has depleted the water resources and affected the breeding and staging areas of birds.
Key biodiversity
Non-bird biodiversity: There were historical records of Panthera tigris 1950s, but it is now locally extinct. Other animals include Vulpes vulpes, Camelus bactrianus and Cervus elaphus. There area also supports the fish Pelochelys bibroni.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Aksu River basin (China (mainland)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/aksu-river-basin-iba-china-(mainland) on 22/11/2024.