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The rich diversity of Kazakhstan’s flora may be evaluated by the number of
different taxa, species and genus. Diversity also varies geographically through
the natural and climatic height zones. In general, the diversity and originality
of the flora and fauna in steppe and desert zones increases from west to east.
However, in mountain systems an increase takes place from the north-east (Altai)
to the south-west (West Tien- Shan, Karatau).
Over 6 000 species of higher vascular plants,
about 5 000 species of mushrooms, and 485 species of lichens are registered on
the territory of Kazakhstan. In addition, over 2 000 species of sea weeds, and
about 500 species of bryophytes have been recorded in this region. |
k a z a k h s t a n |
The composition of the higher plant’s flora is
characterized by numerous medical, fodder, technical, food, decorative and shrub
species. 80% of the main medical plant resources are spread through the Zailisky Alatau, Ketmen, Kungei, Terskei
Alatau, Dzungarski Alatau, Kyrgyz ridge, Boraldaitau, Altai, and Tarbagatai
mountains.
The inventory survey of Kazakhstan’s
fauna has been completed for the vertebrates only, although for some
classes a generalized fauna summary has been published. 835 vertebrate species
inhabit the territory of Kazakhstan, which may be sub-divided into 178 species
of mammal, 489 species of mammal, birds (396 species actually nest within the
territory), 49 species of Rhynchocephalia, 12 amphibia species, 104 fish species
and 3 species of Cyclostomata. The regular evaluation of the state of
populations is carried out, mainly, on species, representing trade value.
The representatives of Rodentia order
(82 species) amount to about half of the total species diversity for mammals.
Hoof (elk, wild boar, roe deer, saiga, Siberian ibex tau-teke, maral) and
rapacious (predatory) (wolf, fox, corsac fox, badger, lynx (bobcat), bear,
glutton, sable, steppe and forest polecat) are among 33 species of hunting
mammals. Reduction of the number is registered on the majority of the main
species of the hunting animals at the development of the limit of production on
some species only by 30-50 % and lower. Basic reasons are the following:
negative impact of anthropogenous activity and changes of conditions of animal
habitats; the high number of predators (wolves and jackals), doing the essential
loss to their numbers; the extremely increased level of poaching, and also
possible imperfect account of the actual production.
The special concern is caused by the state of
saiga populations. Its number, restored in 1950s, provided until recently
production of about 50 % of the total amount of hunting production in the
country. In view of migration it has natural habitat on the area of 45 % of the
territory of Kazakhstan. Now saiga number began to be reduced and has reached a
critical level. For example, in the most numerous earlier Betpakdaly population
for last 4 years its number has reduced from 350 up to 120 thousand of heads.
There are more than 140 species of hunting
game birds among the 489 species of bird. 43 species are hunted, and are the
inhabitants of wetland complexes (Anseriformes, Charadriiformes,
Gaviiformes, Colymbiformes, some of Steganopoda and
Gruiformes). Hundreds of thousands of birds nest in the steppe and desert
lakes of Kazakhstan, millions of ducks, geese, leaf-roller weevils, curlews
(Anas, Anser, Rufibrenta, Limicolae) and other wetland game visit its
territory during the seasonal migrations in autumn and spring. Numbers of the
main species of feathered game is changed significantly form year to year.
35 species of predatory birds are inhabitants
of Kazakhstan. Unfortunately, about half of these birds have been considered as
rare and disappearing species as a result of pitiless destruction in
the1950-60s.>more
endangered species
The number of many species of animal have
declined and also their habitat due to anthropogenic activities. The Red Data
Book of Kazakhstan, established by the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan
in 1978 illustrates this well. The data for January 1, 1998 lists 125 species
(or about 15 %) of vertebrates and 96 species of invertebrate, and 85 species of
insect. (the Red Data Book of 1978 included 87 rare and disappearing species and
subspecies of animals). Out of them 10 species and subspecies of mammals and 15
species of birds are referred to the category of “disappearing”. The following
animals and birds are in the most endangered situation: cheetah, European mink,
Kyzylkum mountain ram, white stork, pink pelican, saker falcon, peregrine and
marbled duck. In accordance with the Resolution of the Government of the
Republic of Kazakhstan N 573 of June 19, 1998 “On approval of the List of
species of invertebrate animals for including in the Red Data Book of the
Republic of Kazakhstan” the second part of this Book “Invertebrate animals” has
been prepared, in which 96 rare and disappearing species are included.
Number of Endangered Species
| Included into the Red Data
Book |
Disappeared |
Endangered |
Stable |
| 297 |
71 |
101 |
125 |
A vulnerability assessment of species and
communities has been carried out only for the main controls on biological
diversity. Endangered and vulnerable species of the staghorn Evernia
lichens, mushrooms, red seaweed and a number of other living representatives
including the Protozoa, have not been identified for two reasons. Firstly, the
inventory survey of biological diversity was incomplete and secondly an
appropriate database system was not available.
More than 800 biological entities were
classified within three categories of protection: Critically endangered
(priority) - short term; endangered - medium term actions; vulnerable - long
term actions. The summary results of the sub zone analysis indicated the
following areas to have high levels of biodiversity: the mountains (228 species)
and real medium deserts (151 species). These areas contain a significant number
of endangered species and ecological systems that need to be protected and
managed by a soft regime. The rare communities of the forests do fall into this
number.
For vascular plants, the identification of
priority species is based on the Red Data Book, which includes species
endangered by extinction. 100 species of flora included in the Red Data Book.
Out of 28 critically endangered species (and 40 habitats), 22 of the species in
this group are present in the mountains. At present 303 species of plants are
included in the first edition of the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan and protected
by the Government. Material has been prepared for the second edition of the Red
Data Book of Kazakhstan, which will include 404 species of plants (6%), 2
species of Lycopodiales, 2 species of Filicinae, 4 species of bryophytes, 2
species of Gymospermae, 362 species of flowering plants, 6 species of sea weeds,
22 species of mushrooms, and 4 species of lichens (6 % of higher plants, 0,6 %
-lower plants).
Of 79 communities subject to protection 33 are
critically endangered, 25 are endangered, and 21 are vulnerable; the specified
communities comprise 22 forests, 11 valley and 6 mountain ecological systems; 27
desert communities, 12 of which are flora formations; 11 meadow ecological
systems with plain and mountain meadows;
The fruit and berry species are specified as
being among the relatives of the cultural plants: 65 species of trees, shrubs
and liana, of which 9 have been put into the Red Data Book. They are classified
as being “critically endangered”. There are 56 species, which are endangered and
vulnerable.
Of the 101 vertebrate species exposed to
anthropogenic impacts, 32 species and subspecies have been included in the first
category “critically endangered”: 7 species of fish, 16 species of birds, 9
species of mammals. Within the second category “endangered” 29 species were
classified: 7 species of fish, 1 species of amphibians, 1species of reptile, 15
species of birds, 5 species of mammals. Within the third category “vulnerable”
40 species were classified: 2 species of fish, 1 species of amphibian, 1 species
of reptile, 15 species of birds, and 16 species of mammals. Some of hoof animals
Gazella subgutturosa, Ovis ammon, and predatory animals Carnivora
are among the most endangered species in the Mammalia. among the
birds – Otididae family (Otis tarda, Chlamydotis undulata, Otis
tetrax), (Falconiformes), particularly big falcons (Falco cherrug,
Falco pelegrinoides, Falco peregrinus), some waterfowl and
by- water birds; among the fishes – the inhabitants of the Aral and Kaspi basins
amongst others; among the invertebrate species – the commercial species of
butterflies (Lepidoptera and Coleoptera), are exported by amateur
collectors. About half of these (all big eagles, falcons and vultures) have
become so rare as a result of pitiless destruction in the1950-60s, that they
have been put into the Kazakhstan's Red Data Book and include Aguila
chrysaetus, which is the state emblem of Kazakhstan.
Of 96 Invertebrate species, 11 of which are
critically endangered, their numbers are particularly low and are on the verge
of extinction. The endangered species (40) are relatively large in numbers, but
their habitats are small and broken. Given the unfavourable circumstances these
species may come close to disappearance. The vulnerable species (45) have the
largest habitat coverage. However, this area is contracting as a result of
various negative factors. In a number of places vulnerable species become
increasingly rare and some populations disappear altogether. At the present
research stage endangered and vulnerable invertebrate species are not found in
the forest steppe. However, 34 species were found in the steppes, 76 species in
the deserts, 40 have been recorded in the mountains, and 7 within river flood
plains, valleys, lakes and coast systems. Of 49 Reptilia species, the
procurement of Agrionemys horsfieldi (40-180 thousands pieces per year)
has taken place for a long time in Kazakhstan. This practice threatened species
numbers in parts of the south and south-east of Kazakhstan. The same threat
exists for the poisonous snakes (Agkistrodon halys, Vipera berus,
Vipera ursini) which are killed for their venom, used in medicine. The
demand for poison from different spider species has also displayed a marked
increase.
Unfavourable changes in the fauna of
Invertebrata were incorporated in the Red Data Book of Kazakhstan, within
which 96 species of insects were included: 1 species of crustacean, 6 species of
mollusk, and 2 species of segmented worms. It is however, important to note that
these are not all species, which are endangered by vanishing. The majority of
the Invertabrate species are very low in numbers and even small
ecological changes to their biogeocoenosis could cause their disappearance and
irreversibly destroy the entire respective ecological system.
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