Data Zone
Country/territory: Kazakhstan
IBA criteria met: A1, A4ii (2004)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 235,195 hectares (2,351.95 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2013 | good | high | very low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2004 baseline)
The site covers the ridge-like uplands of the northern edge of the Aktau Plateau. The northern part consists of precipitous and extremely rugged terrain, while the southern part is gently sloping. To the north-west the site extends to the coastal zone of Mangyshlak Bay with its variety of coves and inlets. The area belongs to the exceptionally arid zone, but does contain several natural freshwater springs and artificial wells. The northern desert has the typical zonal phytocomplexes interspersed with the patches of semi-desert floral associations. The vegetation is mainly Artemisia-Salsola associations.
Key biodiversity
A typical assembly of desert-related species. A high population density of several species of raptor occurs, including the globally endangered Falco cherrug and Falco naumanni, and a few species in the National Red Data Book: Aquila chrysaetos, Neophron percnopterus, Circaetus gallicus and Bubo bubo.
Non-bird biodiversity: Within the area of the adjacent Zakaznik, of which the IBA forms but a small part, there occur several mammal species listed in the National Red Data Book (Ovis vignei arcal and Felis manul), plus the IUCN Red Data Book – Lynx caracal.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Aktau cliff faces (Kazakhstan). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/aktau-cliff-faces-iba-kazakhstan on 24/12/2024.