Data Zone
Country/territory: Kazakhstan
IBA criteria met: A1, A4i, A4iii (2007)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 144,165 hectares (1,441.65 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2017 | moderate | high | medium |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2004 baseline)
The IBA is located 120 km to the south of Aralsk city, 30 km to the north-west of Kazalinsk (new name - Aiteke-By) town and is situated in the north-east part of the Aral depression, in the north-west part of the Kyzylkum desert, among clay- and sand landscapes. It comprises a series of lakes of different size with large reedbeds and salt marshes. The largest lakes are: Laikol, Kamyshlybash, Akchatau, Shumyshkol, Karakol, Zalanash.
Key biodiversity
319 bird species were recorded here at the beginning of the 20th century, 168 species in the 1970s, and 107 species in May 2001. About 70% of them are waterfowl and waders, with 28 species included in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan. Some of the lakes are breeding areas for waterfowl, and all of the system has great importance during migration.
Non-bird biodiversity: About 40 species of mammals have been recorded. The lakes are a reservoir for several valuable fish species.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Syrdarya Delta Lakes (Kazakhstan). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/syrdarya-delta-lakes-iba-kazakhstan on 23/12/2024.