Tajikistan State of the Environment Report - 2000

Habitat distribution according to vertical zonation

There is certain regularity in accommodation of fauna according to climate conditions, food supply and anthropogenic pressures in Tajikistan. Therefore habitats may conditionally be united into main ecosystem groups according to vertical zonation.

Anthropogenic landscapes.

Anthropogenic landscape represents the territory, which is liable to the modification under the pressures from human activities. These are usually cultivated lands (cotton, rice, tobacco, watermelon, melon, grain-crops), orchards and vineyards. Cities, settlements and villages as well as numerous irrigation canals, roads, electric lines are the integral parts of anthropogenic landscape too. The following representatives are characteristic for the anthropogenic ecosystems: mollusks, annelid and nematode worms, beetles, lepidoptera, hymenoptera, soothsayers, etc. The amphibians are presented by the green toad Bufo viridis, march frog Rana ridibunda. The reptiles: water snake Natrix natrix, Central Asian tortoise Agrionemys horsfieldi, glass-lizard Pseudopus apodus, rapid fringe-toed lizard Eremias velox, Asian snake-eyed skink Ablepharus pannonicus, Turkestan rock geckos Tenuidactylus fedtschenkoi, Tenuidactylus russowii, colubers. The following bird species are typical for anthropogenic landscapes: carrion crow Corvus corone, common magpie Pica pica, common myna Acridotheres tristis, Eurasian sparrow Passer montanus, Indian yellow-throated sparrow Petronia xanthocollis, laughing dove Streptopelia senegalensis, turtle dove Streptopelia turtur, European swallow Hirundo rustica, golden oriole Oriolus oriolus, black-headed shrike Lanius schach, rock pigeon Columbus livia, common kestrel Falco tinnunculus, etc. The mammals are: house mouse Mus musculus, Turkestan rat Rattus rattoides, short-tailed bandicoot rat Nesokia indica, mole vole Ellobius talpinus, red fox Vulpes vulpes, common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus, serotine bat Vespertilio serotinus, whiskered bat Myotis mystacinus, cultural animals, etc.

Semi-desert ecosystems.

Semi-desert territories are generally situated at the altitudes from 300 to 600 meters above sea level within the lower reaches of Vahsh, Panji, Kafirnigan and Sirdaria rivers. They are basically presented with thinned perennial vegetation and luxuriant spring ephemeral vegetation. Intensive irrigation and development of these territories are observed now. The biodiversity structure is similar to the previous anthropogenic landscapes and presented with the desert forms of invertebrates that well adapted to open arid areas (lepidoptera, coleoptera, hymenoptera, soothsayers, spiders, ants, termites, etc.). Green toad Bufo viridis presents the amphibians. The following reptiles are presented here: Central Asian tortoise Agrionemys horsfieldi, steppe agama Thaumatorhynchus sanguinolentus, sun watcher Phrynocephalus helioscopus, rapid fringe-toed lizard Eremias velox, saw-scaled viper Echis carinatus, spotted desert racer Coluber karelini, desert monitor Varanus griseus, Turkestan plate-tailed gecko Teratoscincus scincus, sand race-runner Eremias scripta. The birds of semi-desert territories are presented with: Eurasian tree sparrow Passer montanus, raven Corvus corax, crested lark Galerida cristata, red-backed shrike Lanius collurio, long-legged buzzard Buteo rufinus, black vulture Aegypius monachus, Eurasian nighjar Caprimulgus europaeus, black-bellied sand grouse Pterocles orientalis, stone curlew (thick-knee) Burhinus oedicnemus, bimaculated lark Melanocorypha bimaculala. The following mammals are the most typical: goitred gazelle Gazaella subgutturosa, red fox Vulpes vulpes, jackal Canis aureus, tolai hare Lepus tolai, eared hedgehog Hemiechinus auritus, marbled polecat Vormela peregusna, steppe polecat Mustela eversmanni, lesser mouse-eared bat Myotis blythii, greater horseshoe bat Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Bukhara horseshoe bat Rhinolophus bocharicus.

Natural and artificial reservoirs and regular watercourses.

Natural water reservoirs and watercourses are widely distributed all over the territory of Tajikistan. Naturally, the biodiversity of water reservoirs is poor in comparison with other ecosystems. Most widely distributed fish species are trout Salmo trutta, carp Cyprinus carpio, etc. The amphibians are presented with the green toad Bufo viridis and marsh frog Rana ridibunda. The lakes and regular watercourses are perfect habitats for many migrant and wintering birds. Some species nest here on the islands and in the riverside zone. Many birds are inhabit these territories: bar-headed goose Anser indicus, brown-headed gull Larus brunnicephalus, common stern Sterna hirundo, little tern Sterna albifrons, gull-billed tern Sterna nilotica, ibis-bill Ibidorhyncha struthersii, little ringed plover Charadrius dubius, Himalayan whistling thrush Myiophoneus caeruleus, little forktail Enicurus scouleri, common sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos, white wagtail Motacilla alba, gray wagtail Motacilla cinerea, yellow-headed wagtail Motacilla citreola, white-crowned robin Cossypha albicapilla, brown dipper Cinclus pallasii, white-throated dipper Cinclus cinclus, etc. During wintering and migration seasons, many ducks, geese, gulls, grebes, cormorants, herons, terns, sandpipers and others are presented here. The following mammals usually inhabit watercourses: common otter Lutra lutra, muskrat Ondatra zibethicus, and nutria Myocastor coypus.

Tugai ecosystems.

Tugai ecosystems in Tajikistan may be found within the lower reaches of Vahsh, Panji, Kafirnigan and Zeravshan rivers. However, anthropogenic pressures lead to the serious degradation of tugai ecosystems, even on the territory of Tigrovaya Balka nature reserve. The biodiversity of tugai ecosystems is rich in invertebrates, especially insects (lepidoptera, coleoptera, semi-coleoptera, orthoptera, etc). The amphibians are presented with: green toad Bufo viridis and marsh frog Rana ridibunda. The following reptiles typically inhabit tugai ecosystems: water snake Natrix natrix, steppe ribbon Psammophis lineolatus, levantine viper Vipera lebetina, Central Asian cobra Naja oxiana, mountain racer Coluber ravergieri, diadem snake Spalerosophis diadema, desert monitor Varanus griseus. The avifauna is especially rich and diverse: gray heron Ardea cinerea, great egret Egretta alba, Eurasian bittern Botaurus stellaris, green-winged teal Anas crecca, marsh harrier Circus aeruginosus, water rail Rallus aquaticus, common gallinule Gallinula chloropus, common pheasant Phasianus colchicus, common starling Sturnus vulgaris, little cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmaeus, great cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, common kestrel Falco tinnunculus, great reed warbler Acrocephalus arundinaceus, bush robin Cercotrichas galactotes, common reed bunting Emberiza schoeniclus, Turkestan tit Parus bokharensis, common kingfisher Alcedo atthis, blue roller Coracias garrulus, gull-billed tern Sterna nilotica, little tern Sterna albifrons, common sand martin Riparia riparia, red-rumpled (Daurian) swallow Hirundo daurica, barn (European) swallow Hirundo rustica, common magpie Pica pica, spotted flycatcher Muscicapa striata, Eurasian blackbird Turdus merula, red-backed shrike Lanius collurio, common swift Apus apus, short-toed (serpent) eagle Circaetus ferox heptneri, etc. Typical species of mammals in tugai ecosystem are: nutria Myocastor coypus, wild boar Sus scrofa, common otter Lutra lutra, wolf Canis lupus, jungle cat Felis chaus oxiana, Bukhara red deer Cervus elaphus bactrianus, Indian crested porcupine Hystrix leucura satunini, red fox Vulpes vulpes, striped hyena Hyaena hyaena, European badger Meles meles, Asiatic jackal Canis aureus, weasel Mustela nivalis, short-tailed bandicoot rat Nesokia indica, Turkestan rat Rattus rauoides, house mouse Mus musculus, tamarisk gerbil Meriones tamariscinus, northern mole-vole Ellobius talpinus, tolai hare Lepus tolai, long-eared (desert) hedgehog Hemiechinus auritus, common pipistrelle Pipistrellus pipistrellus, serotine bat Vespertilio serotinus, etc. During last years, anthropogenic pressures on tugai ecosystems becomes more intense. In light of this, some effective measures to protect tugai ecosystems have to be implemented urgently.

Foothill territories.

Over the last 15-20 years, these territories, generally covered with ephemeral low-herb and xerophytic light forests and bushes are being developed intensively. Numerous species of invertebrates, including soothsayers, spiders, ants, termites and others are vastly presented here. The following reptiles are usual for these territories: Central Asian tortoise Agrionemys horsfieldi, Central Asian cobra Naja oxiana, Levantine viper Vipera lebetina, Schneider's skink Eumeces schneideri, Tajik race runner Eremias regeli, Steppe agama Thaumatorhynchus sanguinolentus, spotted desert racer Coluber karelini, mountain racer Coluber ravergieri, Turkestan agama Stellio lehmanni, vermiform blind snake Typhlops vermicularis, etc. The following species of bird are typical for foothills: Egyptian vulture Neophron percnopterus, long-legged buzzard Buteo rufinus, lesser kestrel Falco naumanni, common kestrel Falco tinnunculus, stone curlew Burhinus oedicnemus, black-bellied sand grouse Pterocles orientalis, raven Corvus corax, rock pigeon Columba livia, common bee-eater Merops apiaster, blue roller Coracial garrulus, desert lark Ammomanes deserti, Eurasian skylark Alauda arvensis, small skylark Alauda gulgula, crested lark Galerida cristata, little owl Athene noctua, red-rumpled swallow Hirundo daurica, pied stone chat Saxicola caprata, red-backed shrike Lanius collurio, corn bunting Emberiza calandra, common magpie Pica pica, etc. The mammals in these ecosystems are presented with goitred gazelle Gazella subgutturosa, red fox Vulpes vupes, wolf Canis lupus, long-eared hedgehog Hemiechinus auritus, tolai hare Lepus tolai, Indian crested porcupine Hystrix leucura satunini, jungle cat Felis chaus oxiana, mole-vole Ellobius talpinus, Turkestan rat Rattus rattoides, greater horseshoe Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, Savi's pipistrelle Pipistrellus savii, urical muflon Ovis vignei (ammon) bochariensis, lesser mouse-eared bat Myotis blythii, some other bats.

Middle mountains.

Middle mountain ecosystems are transitional from the foothills to the alpine zone and include the valleys of mountain rivers, mountain forests and rocks. Middle mountains occupy the altitudes from 1100 to 2400 meters above sea level. These ecosystems are most rich and diverse in Tajikistan. The reptiles are presented with 10-12 species only. However there is a lot of species of birds and mammals. Species listed below could be considered as most typical for middle mountain ecosystems. Amphibians - green toad Bufo viridis and marsh frog Rana ridibunda. Reptiles - Turkestan agama Stellio lehmanni, Levantine viper Vipera lebetina, Pallas' colluder Elaphe dione, Tatary sand boa Eryx tataricus, Asian snake-eyed skink Ablepharus pannonicus, glass-lizard Pseudopus apodus, Central Asian viper Agkistrodon halys, eastern turtle dove Streptopelia orientalis, rock pigeon Columba livia, wood pigeon Columba palumbus, common magpie Pica pica, carrion (hooded) crow Corvus corone, European stone chat Saxicola torquata, common bee-eater Merops apiaster, blackbird Turdus merula, blue (Himalayan) thrush Myiophoneus caeruleus, European hobby Falco subbuteo, Eurasian haw-finch Coccothraustes coccothraustes, white-winged grosbeak Mycerobas carnipes, thrush nightingale Luscinia luscinia, Asiatic paradise flycatcher Terpsiphone paradisi, black redstart Phoenicurus ochruros, Eurasian tree sparrow Passer montanus, cuckoo Cuculus canorus, etc. Typical mammals are: mole-vole Ellobius talpinus, Turkestan rat Rattus rattoides, European wood mouse Apodemus sylvaticus, forest dormouse Dryomys nitedula, juniper vole Microtus juldaschi, tolai hare Lepus tolai, fox Vulpes vulpes, wolf Canis lupus, lynx Felis lynx isabellina, weasel Mustela nivalis, ermine stoat Mustela erminea, stone marten Martesfoina, brown bear Ursus arctos isabelinus, wild boar Sus scrofa, urical muflon Ovis ammon (vigneri) bochariensis, markhor Capra falconeri, gray long-eared bat Plecotus austriacus, common noctule Nyctalus noctula, Asian barbastelle Barbastella leucomelas, greater horseshoe Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, lesser mouse-eared bat Myolis blythii.

Alpine zone.

Alpine ecosystems differ from all the previous ones by their distinctive ecological conditions, which allow existing and surviving only specially adapted species that able to live in extreme high-mountain conditions. Rather cool summer and severe winter are the typical characteristics for alpine areas. Lacks of luxuriant arboreal-shrub vegetation, large amplitude of seasonal and daily temperature fluctuations are influenced reproduction of high-mountain biodiversity. Generally, alpine ecosystems are situated at the altitudes 2500-4200 meters above sea level. Fauna of vertebrates is pure in comparison with other ecosystems. Only Tibetan char, pseudo-osman, trout and some other species of fishes inhabit local lakes and rivers. Amphibians are presented only with green toad Bufo viridis that inhabits Badahshan and Pamirs thermal springs. Reptiles are presented with Himalayan rock agama Stellio himalayanus, Central Asian viper Agkistrodon halys, and Asian snake-eyed skink Ablepharus pannonicus. Water snake Natrix natrix may be found from time to time near the Badahshan and Pamirs thermal springs. Typical birds of alpine ecosystems are: rose finch Carpodacus grandis, crimson-winged finch Rhodopechys sanguinea, white-winged snow finch Montifringilla nivalis, red-fronted serin Serinus pusillus, European linnet Acanthis cannabina, alpine chough Pyrrhocorax graculus, raven Corvus corax, red-billed chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, horned lark Eremophila alpestris, bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus, golden eagle Aquila chrysaetos, Himalayan griffon Gyps himalayensis, Himalayan snow cock Tetraogallus himalayensis, Tibetan snow cock Tetraogallus tibetanus, Tibetan sand grouse Syrrhaptes tibetanus, bar-headed goose Anser indicus, etc. The following mammals are typical for alpine ecosystems: Royle's high-mountain vole Alticola roylei, juniper vole Microtus juldaschi, Turkestan red pika Ochotona rutila, large-eared pika Ochotona macrotis, long-tailed (Kashmir) marmot Marmota caudata, tolai hare Lepus tolai, red fox Vulpes vulpes, wolf Canis lupus, brown bear Ursus arctos isabelinus, ermine stoat Mustela erminea, alpine weasel Mustela altaica, snow leopard Panthera uncia uncia, Siberian ibex Capra sibirica, argali Ovis ammon pollii, whiskered bat Myotis mystacinus, greater horseshoe Rhinolophus ferrumequinum, lesser mouse-eared bat Myotis blythii.

Nival zone.

Nival zone ecosystems may be considered as the upper limit of biological resources distribution in Tajikistan. Nival zone covers an area above 4200 meters above sea level. Extremely severe climate, scanty vegetation cover, obvious fluctuations of annual, seasonal and daily temperatures make these ecosystems very poor in animal world. Vertebrates visit these ecosystems in summer period or spend large part of life in the shelters or hibernation. Amphibians and reptiles do not live here. The following species of birds has been registered here: Himalayan snow cock Tetraogallus himalayensis, Tibetan snow cock Tetraogallus tibetanus, Himalayan griffon Gyps himalayensis, bearded vulture Gypaetus barbatus, Alpine chough Pyrrhocorax graculus, red-billed chough Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, etc. Some mammals live in nival zone: Turkestan red pika Ochotona rutila, large-eared pika Ochotona macrotis, juniper vole Microtus juldaschi, long-tailed (Kashmir) marmot Marmota caudata, Siberian ibex Capra sibirica, argali Ovis ammon pollii and snow leopard Panthera uncia uncia. All these species, except long-tailed marmot, long-eared pika and Turkestan red pika perform vertical migrations, coming there for summer and going down for winter.

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