KGZ28: Key Biodiversity Area Upper Kumtor River and Sarychat-Ertash Nature Reserve

Snow leopard (Panthera uncia)

Status:III. Critically Endangered, CR C2a(i): R, C1.
General and national distribution. Found in 12 mountainous countries in Asia. In Kyrgyzstan - on the Pskem, Chandalash, Talas, Kyrgyz, Suusamyr, Chatkal, Fergana, Turkestan, Alay ranges, as well as Kungey and Teskey Ala-Too, Naryn-Too, Moldo-Too, At-Bashi, Sary-Jaz and Kokshaal -Too.
Habitats. In the alpine and subalpine landscape zones at an altitude of 3 to 4 thousand m, it prefers a moderately dissected topography with individual hills for viewing and shelters in the form of stones and clumps of shrubs (karagana, juniper). The forest belt is usually visited when moving from one river valley to another. In winter, it is also found in the upper forest zone, following mountain goats.
Number. It was considered a common species on many mountain ranges, the total number at the beginning of the 80s was estimated at 1400 individuals, according to E. Koshkarev - at 600-700 individuals, but not more than 1000. Over the past 10-12 years, the number of the species has decreased by 5-10 times and continues to decrease, currently it does not exceed 150–250 individuals [20]. The highest density is in the highlands of the Northern Tien Shan, approximately the same in the Alai, Inner and Central Tien Shan, and the lowest in the Western Tien Shan [19]. The world population of the species is 5-7 thousand individuals.
Lifestyle (life cycles). Lives sedentary. Active during twilight and night hours, in winter and spring, when ungulates are active during the day, also found during daylight hours. The rut is in February-March, the pregnancy of females lasts 98¬103 days, there are 1-3 cubs in a litter (very rarely - up to 5). The female gives birth once every 2 years, sexual maturity occurs at the age of two. The main prey is mountain goats, argali, marmots, less often - roe deer, deer, wild boars, hares, snowcocks, and chukars. The diseases are poorly studied; cases of rabies and scabies are known.
Limiting factors.Anthropogenic: permitted fishing (late 19th – early 20th centuries); development of sheep breeding and development of mountains, poaching.
Breeding (keeping in captivity).It is well bred in many zoos around the world, with a total number of at least 700 individuals, including 6 zoos in the CIS.
Existing security measures. Hunting on the territory of Kyrgyzstan has been prohibited since 1948; since 1959, legal liability has been established for hunting and catching without licenses. Listed in the International CC and Appendix 1 of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna. Since 1975, it has been included in the List of Specially Protected Species of Kyrgyzstan. It is protected on the territory of the Sarychelek, Besharal, Naryn, Karatal-Zhapyryk, Sarychat-Ertash (created in 1993 primarily for this species) reserves, as well as in the Alaarchinsky, Karakol and Chonkeminsky national natural parks.
Recommended security measures. Creation of a protected area in Alai. Strengthening the promotion of species protection among the local population, strengthening protection and implementing the relevant articles of the Law on the Protection of Wildlife of Kyrgyzstan (2000).
Source: Red Book of the Kyrgyz Republic. 2nd edition – Bishkek, 2007



Kashgar barberry (Berberis kaschgarica)

Genus: Barberry - family: Barberry - order: Barberry-flowered - class: Dicotyledonous - division: Flowering.
Zoning: Central Asia and Kazakhstan, Northern and Central Tien Shan
Botanical description of the species: Life form is a shrub, deciduous up to 1 m high, highly branched, with brownish branches.
External signs of leaves: leaves are simple; there is no division; petiole attachment.
The leaves are leathery, oblong-ovate, narrowed downward, no more than 15 mm long, 6 mm wide, narrowed into a short petiole, entire or with one lateral sharp tooth.
Differences in shoots: shoots are erect; leaf arrangement on the shoot is alternate; placement of leaves along the length of the stem; surface thorns or prickles.
The spines are tripartite, up to 15 mm long, usually longer than the leaves.
Flowers: main color yellow; perianth actinomorphic; number of petals 6 or more.
The flowers are solitary, on short stalks. Sepals are ovate, obtuse; the petals are equal to them and of the same shape, but at the top they are incised and notched. The stamens are half as long as the petals.
The berries are broadly elliptical, up to 8 mm long, black.
Blooms in May - June. Fruits in September - October. Fruits: juicy type; juicy berry.
Distribution and ecology: In nature, the species' range covers the Tien Shan and western regions of China. Described from the Suukta Valley in the Chinese Tien Shan. Grows on slopes in valleys.
Meaning: decorative plant.
Source of information: https://openfito.ru/vids/vid/27386
https://ru.ruwiki.ru/wiki/%D0%91%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B1%D0%B0%D1%80%D0%B8%D1%81_%D0%BA%D0 %B0%D1%88%D0%B3%D0%B0%D1%80%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B8%D0%B9
https://plant.depo.msu.ru/open/public/item/MW0832248
Photo source: https://www.plantarium.ru/page/view/item/6401.html



Saussurea involucrate

Genus: Saussurea - family: Compositae - order: Asteraceae - class: Dicotyledonous - division: Floral.
Zoning: Central Asia and Kazakhstan, Northern and Central Tien Shan. Distributed in Eastern Siberia (east of the Angara-Sayan region).
Botanical description of the species: Status. A rare species, endemic to South-Eastern Altai, South-Western Tuva and North-Western Mongolia. The species is included in the Red Book of the Altai Republic.
Saussurea involucra is a perennial herbaceous plant 10-35 cm high.
The root collar is tow-like from the fibrous dissected remains of last year's leaves. Stems 10(13)-25(35) cm long, 2-3 cm thick, hollow, densely leafy, fleshy, glabrous. Differences in shoots: leaf arrangement on the shoot is alternate; placement of leaves along the length of the stem. The basal and stem leaves are leathery, oblong, up to 14 cm long, up to 2.5 cm wide, sessile, semi-stem-encompassing. The baskets are sessile, 10-20 in number, forming an inflorescence in the form of a dense ball at the top of the stem, immersed in the bracts. The flowers are dirty purple, about 1.4 cm long, the achene is brown, glabrous, ribbed. Blooms in July-August.
Habitat: In the alpine zone on rocky tundra, kurumniks and gravelly-rocky slopes.
It grows on rocky slopes and pebbles of ancient moraines at an altitude of 2100-3000 m above sea level.
Protection measures: The plant needs protection.
Meaning: Leaves and inflorescences are used for medicinal purposes.
The plant contains sesquiterpenoids, terpenoids, alkaloids, flavonoids, aromatic compounds, heterocyclic compounds, higher fatty acids and their derivatives, essential oil, higher aliphatic hydrocarbons.
Leaves and inflorescences are used in Mongolian medicine as part of complex recipes for pulmonary tuberculosis and bone tuberculosis. Adaptogen, increases the body's resistance to tuberculosis infection.
Sources of information: https://openfito.ru/vids/vid/54907
https://www.travolekar.ru/herbs/_s/sau_in.htm
https://plant.depo.msu.ru/open/public/item/MW0888911
https://www.altzapovednik.ru/gallery/nature/flora/gorkusha-oorgadai.aspx
Photo source: https://www.plantarium.ru/page/view/item/33799.html



Taraxacum syrtorum

Genus: Dandelion - family: Compositae - order: Asteraceae - class: Dicotyledonous - division: Floral
Botanical description of the genus: Taraxacum is a large genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, which consists of the species commonly known as dandelions. The plant thrives in temperate regions and can be found in yards, gardens, roadsides, crops, and many other habitats. Like other members of the Asteraceae family, they have very small flowers clustered together into a complex flower head. Partly because of their abundance, along with the fact that dandelions are a generalist species, they are one of the most important early spring nectar sources for a wide range of pollinators.
Typically, the leaves are 50-250 mm long, simple, lobate-pinnately dissected and form a basal rosette above a central taproot. The flower heads are yellow-orange in color and are open during the day but closed at night. The heads grow singly on a broken stem (petiole), which is usually leafless and rises 10-100 mm above the leaves. The stems and leaves release white, milky latex when broken. The rosette can produce several flowering stems at the same time. The flower heads are 20-50 mm in diameter and consist entirely of ray inflorescences.
The flower heads mature into spherical seed heads containing many single-seeded fruits called achenes. Each achene is attached to a papilloma of thin hair-like material that allows it to be disseminated over long distances by the wind.
Sources of information: https://openfito.ru/vids/vid/70252
https://translated.turbopages.org/proxy_u/en-ru.ru.6415fa22-65e9385b-fa343a8c-74722d776562/https/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taraxacum
Source of photo: https://www.plantarium.ru/page/view/item/2181.html



Common Saker Falcon (Falco cherrug)

Other names: Turkestan saker falcon.
Status: The saker falcon is listed in the International Red Book (category IV) as an endangered species. The number of the species has decreased sharply over the past 5 years in Kyrgyzstan.
Description. In size and build it is very similar to the gyrfalcon (almost never found together), a little smaller. The main color tone is reddish-gray, lighter underneath, most often fawn or close to it, with longitudinal dark streaks. It differs from the peregrine falcon in its reddish coloration, the absence of distinct black “whiskers,” and the light top of the head. Males and females are colored similarly, females are larger. The legs, cere and leathery ring around the eye are yellow. Juveniles are similar to adults, but are generally darker, with a denser dark mottled pattern underneath being especially noticeable; the legs, cere and eye ring are bluish-gray. The flight is strong, but they usually fly with infrequent flaps, alternating active flight with gliding. Sometimes they “shake” like a kestrel. They often soar, and quite high. Weight of males 730-950, females - 970-1300 g, length 42-59, wing of males 34.7-37.2, females - 38.6-42.3, wingspan - 102-129 cm.
National distribution. In Kyrgyzstan, it nests exclusively in the mountainous part of the country, and at an altitude of at least 1300-1500 m. It goes up to 3000 m in the vertical direction. During hunting, it also appears in lower-lying areas.
Number. The total number has not been established. Rare view. The number is declining everywhere.
Habitat. Middle and upper mountain belt, from 1300 to 3000 m above sea level. Low desert mountains and dry foothills of large ranges, river canyons, chinks, tugai, floodplain forests, mixed spruce forests, rocks and cliffs.
In Kyrgyzstan, the nominate subspecies Falco cherrug JF Gray, 1834 occurs on migration and in winter. The remaining subspecies are sedentary: Fc milvipes Jerdon, 1871, Fc coatsi, Dementiev, 1945, Fc hendersoni Hume, 1871.
In Kazakhstan, it lives in steppes and deserts, in areas with the presence of individual trees or groves, power lines, geodetic towers; as well as in chinks, near river cliffs, in rocky outcrops, and gorges in the mountains. The proximity of the habitat of a large number of rodents and birds, which are the main food of saker falcons, is a necessary condition for nesting both on the plains and in the mountains.
Lifestyle. A sedentary nomadic bird. The saker falcon hunts in open areas where there are trees or rocks from which it is convenient to look out for prey. Having seen a suitable object, the saker falcon hovers over the prey in flight, and then dives down at high speed or catches the prey in horizontal flight. Saker falcons never hunt near the nest and always fly away to significant distances (up to 20 km). This feature of saker falcons is often used by small birds. They live quietly and reproduce in the neighborhood, feeling protected because... other birds of prey do not hunt in the Saker Falcon's nesting territory. In the wild, saker falcons have virtually no enemies other than humans.
Nutrition. Saker falcons feed mainly on small mammals: gophers, pikas, and less often large lizards. Can catch hares, marmots and small passerine birds.
Reproduction. Monogamous bird with pronounced nesting conservatism. Appears in breeding areas from late March to April. It nests in separate pairs at a distance of at least 300-400 m (usually 1-10 km or more) from each other; nests can be located on a tree, on a rock or a pole. One nest is used for several years, but if there is no shortage of nests suitable for breeding, the nest is changed annually. Laying of 2-6 (usually 3-5) eggs occurs from late March to May, the chicks hatch in 33-35 days. Only the female incubates for 30 days, the male brings food for the female and initially for the chicks. Chicks are born from early May to early June. Both parents feed the young, which fledge at the age of 45 days, in late May - July. Autumn migration begins in late August - September.
Limiting factors. Habitat degradation as a result of human economic activity. Predation of nests by removing chicks for the purpose of sale. Catching. Gipel on power line supports. Recently, the saker falcon was common, but currently, due to the uncontrolled capture of saker falcons in the wild over the past 10-15 years by Arab poachers and their accomplices from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, the saker falcon has become a rare breeding bird.
Existing security measures: Listed in the Red Book of the USSR (1984). The species is protected by the Red Book of Kyrgyzstan in the country's reserves. It is listed in Appendix II of CITES, Appendix II of the Bonn Convention, Appendix II of the Berne Convention. The bird is endangered due to rapid population decline in Central Asian breeding territories.
Recommended security measures: Identify nesting sites and strengthen their protection. Ban the capture of falcons. Create a network of protected areas in the main nesting areas. Find out the total size and status of the population in Kyrgyzstan. Create a captive breeding nursery.
Breeding (captivity)). There are several captive breeding projects in the United States, Canada and Europe. Successfully bred in the Kyrgyz State Game Management Agency of the USSR Ministry of Agriculture in 1979.
Information sources: https://birds.kg/v2taxon.php?s=84&l=ru, https://redbookrf.ru/baloban-falco-cherrug
Gavrilov EI, Gavrilov AE "The Birds of Kazakhstan". Almaty, 2005. E.I. Gavrilov. "Fauna and distribution of birds of Kazakhstan." Almaty, 1999. V.K. Ryabitsev. "Birds of the Urals, the Urals and Western Siberia." Ekaterinburg. Publishing house of the Ural University, 2000.
Photo source: https://redbookrf.ru/baloban-falco-cherrug