At the end of November, the scientific journal “Research on the Wildlife of Kyrgyzstan” published an article titled “New Key Botanical Area ‘Tauzholy’ in the Zailiysky Alatau.”
The Key Botanical Area “Tauzholy” (Tauzholy, IPA-KZ-AM) is located in the southwestern outskirts of Almaty on the northern large-scale slope of the Zailiysky Alatau (Northern Tian Shan). Using IPA criteria adapted for Kazakhstan, the study assessed a 256-hectare site (1,045–1,472 m above sea level), based on 2023–2025 photographic observations on the iNaturalist platform, aggregated via GBIF, combined with targeted field surveys. The results show that the area meets six KBA subcriteria—A1, A3, A4, B2, B3, and C3.
The article discusses the main anthropogenic threats (urbanization pressure, overgrazing, recreational load) and the role of the KBA in maintaining ecosystem services in the Almaty foothills.
The area is proposed as a priority site for strengthened protection measures and as a demonstrative case for applying the KBA methodology in suburban landscapes of the Zailiysky Alatau.
Authors of the article: A. V. Dubynin, V. G. Epiktetov, I. Y. Selyutina, P. A. Adzhigildyaev (Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Public Foundation “Wings,” Ridder, Kazakhstan).
The article discusses the main anthropogenic threats (urbanization pressure, overgrazing, recreational load) and the role of the KBA in maintaining ecosystem services in the Almaty foothills.
The area is proposed as a priority site for strengthened protection measures and as a demonstrative case for applying the KBA methodology in suburban landscapes of the Zailiysky Alatau.
Authors of the article: A. V. Dubynin, V. G. Epiktetov, I. Y. Selyutina, P. A. Adzhigildyaev (Institute of Botany and Phytointroduction, Almaty, Kazakhstan; Public Foundation “Wings,” Ridder, Kazakhstan).