KZ020
Sagyz


Site description (2006 baseline):

Site location and context
The IBA is a slightly undulating desert/semidesert plain, with “white” wormwood, in some places mixed with Graminea including Stipa sp, on the right bank of the Saghz river, 9-29 km to the west-north-west of Saghyz railway station. The average width of the area is 5 km. The soils are hard, sandy and salty, with patches of almost white clay. Along the river, which is 25-30 m wide, there are Tamarix thickets, in some places at least 100-150 m wide. There are precipitous banks suitable for the breeding of sand martins and other hole-nesters. 'Real' tree vegetation is absent.

Key biodiversity
In June 2006, 62 species were observed in the area during 4 days and about 70 species are estimated to breed. Five species are included in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan – Steppe Eagle, Demoiselle Crane, Little Bustard, Pallas’s Sandgrouse and Black-bellied Sandgrouse.

Habitat and land use
Mainly pasture, at a moderate intensity.

Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Illegal hunting.

Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
None.


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sagyz (Kazakhstan). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sagyz-iba-kazakhstan on 23/12/2024.