Data Zone
Country/territory: China (mainland)
IBA criteria met: A1, A2, A3, A4iii (2009)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 7,280,000 hectares (72,800.00 km2)
Site description (2009 baseline)
Located in the western part of Gansu Province, adjacent to Qinghai Province. The climate of this mountainous IBA is temperate semi-arid, and the habitats range from steppe to semi-desert, but there are also grasslands, scrub and broadleaf forests. The human population is low and mostly relies on herding, with agricultural activities in a few areas. The Qilian Shan and Mazong Shan mountains are important pathways for migratory birds.
Key biodiversity
Non-bird biodiversity: Many protected mammals are found in this nature reserve, such as Snow Leopard, Lynx, Mongolian Wild Ass, Tibetan Wild Ass, Wild Camel etc.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Dunhuang Nature Reserve and Western Qilian Shan mountains (China (mainland)). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/dunhuang-nature-reserve-and-western-qilian-shan-mountains-iba-china-(mainland) on 23/12/2024.