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The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2006 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:

Species	Red List	Season (year/s of estimate)	Size	IBA criteria
White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala	EN	breeding (1971)	< 50 birds	A1
Red-breasted Goose Branta ruficollis	VU	passage (1997)	11,000 birds	A1, A4i
Greylag Goose Anser anser	LC	non-breeding (1971–2004)	20,000 birds	A4i
Greater White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons	LC	passage (1997)	32,000 birds	A4i
Lesser White-fronted Goose Anser erythropus	VU	passage (1997)	26 birds	A1
Gadwall Mareca strepera	LC	passage (1971)	3,000 birds	A4i
Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelope	LC	passage (1971)	35,000 birds	A4i
Common Teal Anas crecca	LC	passage (1971)	11,000 birds	A4i
Siberian Crane Leucogeranus leucogeranus	CR	passage (1971)	< 50 birds	A1
Demoiselle Crane Anthropoides virgo	LC	breeding (2003–2006)	uncommon	A3
Little Bustard Tetrax tetrax	NT	breeding (1986–2004)	50-249 birds	A1, A3
Eurasian Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia	LC	breeding (1985–1988)	400 birds	A4i
Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus	NT	breeding (1985–2004)	50–200 pairs	A1, A4i
Great White Pelican Pelecanus onocrotalus	LC	breeding (1985–2004)	144–350 pairs	A4i
Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo	LC	breeding (2003–2004)	500 pairs	A4i
Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius	CR	breeding (1986–2003)	< 50 birds	A1, A3
Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa	NT	passage (1985–2003)	8,000 birds	A1, A4i
Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni	NT	breeding (2003–2004)	300–400 birds	A1, A3, A4i
Steppe Eagle Aquila nipalensis	EN	breeding (2003–2006)	uncommon	A3
Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca	VU	passage (2003–2004)	< 50 birds	A1, A3
Pallid Harrier Circus macrourus	NT	breeding (2003–2004)	< 50 birds	A1, A3
Black Lark Melanocorypha yeltoniensis	LC	breeding (2003–2006)	abundant	A3
White-winged Lark Alauda leucoptera	LC	breeding (2003–2006)	abundant	A3
A4iii Species group - waterbirds	n/a	passage (1971)	20,000 birds	A4iii

Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2006. The most recent assessment (2010) is shown below.

State (condition of the trigger species' habitats)
Habitat	Quantity (% remaining)	Quality (% carrying capacity)	Result
Grassland	moderate (70–90%)	moderate (70–90%)	poor
Wetlands (inland)	moderate (70–90%)	moderate (70–90%)	poor

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat	Timing	Scope	Severity	Result
Climate change and severe weather	happe­ning now	most of popul­ation/area (50–90%)	moderate decline (10–30% over 3 gener­ations)	high
Natural system modifications	happe­ning now	some of popul­ation/area (10–49%)	moderate decline (10–30% over 3 gener­ations)	high

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Designation	Planning	Action	Result
Not assessed	Not assessed	Not assessed	not assessed

Year	Protected Area	Designation (management category)	% coverage of IBA
1986	Sary-Kolinskiy	Zakaznik (IV)	100

Habitat	% of IBA	Habitat detail
Wetlands (inland)	70	Rivers & streams; Standing brackish & salt water; Standing fresh water; Temporary water bodies; Water-fringe vegetation
Grassland	30	Humid; Mesophile grassland & tall grass steppe; Steppes & dry calcareous

Land use	% of IBA
nature conservation and research	100
agriculture	10

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sarykopa Lake System (Kazakhstan). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sarykopa-lake-system-iba-kazakhstan on 23/12/2024.