DIVERSITY OF SPECIES

The rich diversity of Kazakhstan’s flora may be evaluated by the number of different taxons, 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. 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 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. The Saiga tatarica – the ancient mammal, was under threat from extinction during the early twentieth century. However, Saiga tatarica has been saved by scientists and producers and is now a principal game species. The sustainability of this mammal’s population now depends primarily on the monitoring of its numbers.

More than 43 species from the 489 species of bird are hunted, and are the inhabitants of water and marsh 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.

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.

Number of Endangered Species

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.