Maxim A. Koshkin

Persistent and novel threats to the biodiversity of Kazakhstan’s steppes and semi-deserts

Abstract Temperate grasslands have suffered disproportionally from conversion to cropland, degradation and fragmentation. A large proportion of the world’s remaining near-natural grassland is situated in Kazakhstan. We aimed to assess current and emerging threats to steppe and semi-desert biodiversity in Kazakhstan and evaluate conservation research priorities. We conducted a horizon-scanning exercise among conservationists from academia and practice. We first compiled a list of 45 potential threats. These were then ranked by the survey participants according to their perceived severity, the need for research on them, and their novelty. The highest-ranked threats were related to changes in land use (leading to habitat loss and deterioration), direct persecution of wildlife, and rapid infrastructure development due to economic and population growth. Research needs were identified largely in the same areas, and the mean scores of threat severity and research need were highly correlated. Novel threats comprised habitat loss by photovoltaic and wind power stations, climate change and changes in agriculture such as the introduction of biofuels. However, novelty was not correlated with threat severity or research priority, suggesting that the most severe threats are the established ones. Important goals towards more effective steppe and semi-desert conservation in Kazakhstan include more cross-sector collaboration (e.g. by involving stakeholders in conservation and agriculture), greater allocation of funds to under-staffed areas (e.g. protected area management), better representativeness and complementarity in the protected area system and enhanced data collection for wildlife monitoring and threat assessments (including the use of citizen-science databases).

Waterbird population estimates for a key staging site in Kazakhstan: a contribution to wetland conservation on the Central Asian flyway

Summary Realistic population size estimates for waterbirds are crucial for the application of wetland conservation strategies, since the identification of internationally important wetlands is based on local numbers relative to the population size of the respective species. Central Asia is a poorly surveyed region that is situated at the intersection of migration routes that lead waterbirds from Western Siberia to the south-west (South-West Asia, East Africa) and to the south-east (South Asia, India). We calculated waterbird population estimates for the Tengiz–Korgalzhyn region, a large wetland complex in the steppe zone of Central Kazakhstan, based on waterbird surveys conducted between 1999 and 2004. For 20 of 43 species analysed the region supported more than 5% of the relevant flyway populations. Five species occurred with more than 40% of the flyway totals, including the Endangered White-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala and the Vulnerable Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus. Peak numbers were recorded in summer and autumn and for most species numbers were more than an order of magnitude lower on spring migration compared with autumn migration. We identified 72 individual sites that held more than 20,000 waterbirds or more than 1% of a particular flyway population at least once. These sites are likely to constitute priorities for conservation. The general conservation status of the region is favourable, since many of the important sites are located within a strict nature reserve. However, outside the reserve hunting, fishing and powerline casualties represent conservation issues that should be monitored more carefully in the future.

Population size, breeding performance and habitat use of the Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni

The population of the Black-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni has declined significantly during the course of the 20 th century, resulting in a classification as ‘Near Threatened’ and ‘Endangered’ in the Global and European Red Data Books, respectively. Reasons for the decline are largely unknown due to a lack of information on the breeding ecology of the species. We studied breeding performance and habitat use of the Black-winged Pratincole in two areas in Kazakhstan and evaluated a new world population estimate. Colony size ranged from two to 180 pairs and differed significantly between the study areas. Mean breeding success was 1.30 ± 0.16 (mean ± SE) fledged chicks per breeding pair in Central Kazakhstan, and 0.59 ± 0.13 (mean ± SE) fledged chicks per breeding pair in NE Kazakhstan. Habitat types preferred were intensively grazed natural steppe, abandoned and fallow fields, shores of freshwater and brackish lakes and solonchaks (salt pans). Factors influencing habitat selection were quantified the first time for this species: the probability of occurrence of breeding colonies was highest near human settlements, within 3km of open water and where sward heights were low or intermediate, indicating a reliance on heavy grazing and water. Using data from six surveys across the whole breeding range, we calculated a new world population estimate of 76,000–95,000 breeding pairs, which is substantially higher than previous estimates. We discuss colony size, habitat use and population trends in the light of changing landscape conditions in the steppe zone and suggest an increase in habitat available to Black-winged Pratincole due to an increase in the area of fallow fields and a change in grazing regimes since the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Wader, gull and tern population estimates for a key breeding and stopover site in Central Kazakhstan

Population size estimates of waders, gulls and terns passing through or breeding in Central Asia are very scarce, although highly important for global flyway population estimates as well as for targeting local conservation efforts. The Tengiz-Korgalzhyn region is one of the largest wetland complexes in Central Asia. We conducted surveys in this region between 1999 and 2008 and present estimates of population size as well as information on phenology and age structure for 50 species of Charadriiformes. The Tengiz-Korgalzhyn wetlands are especially important for Red-necked Phalaropes Phalaropus lobatus and Ruffs Philomachus pugnax with, respectively, 41% and 13% of their flyway populations using the area during spring migration. The region is also an important post-breeding moulting site for Pied Avocets Recurvirostra avosetta and Black-tailed Godwits Limosa limosa used by, respectively, 5% and 4% of their flyway populations. Besides its key importance as a migratory stopover site, the study area is a key breeding site for the Critically Endangered Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius, the Near Threatened Black-winged Pratincole Glare la nordmanni and for Pallass Gull Larus ichthyaetus with 16%, 6% and 5% of their world populations, respectively. We identified 29 individual sites that held more than 1% of the relevant flyway populations of at least one species of Charadriiformes. Including data on other species of waterbirds (mainly waterfowl), there were 93 sites that qualify for Important Bird Areas (IBA). About half of them are protected in a state nature reserve, while an additional 20% are recognised as IBAs. Nevertheless, 28 important sites are currently not recognised as IBAs nor are they protected by other conservation means. These sites require conservation attention.