Attachment 9

List of Important Ecosystems in the Kyrgyz Republic Containing "Hot Spots" of
Unique Species of Flora and Fauna Endangered by
Excessive Anthropogenic Impact
(Incomplete list)

The Baubash-Ata mountain slope of the Ferghana Range, Arslanbob, and Yarodar River valleys. Ecosystem: walnut forests with rich vegetation, ancient Mediterranean, Turan, and Euro-Siberian flora and fauna. The region has 49 endemic species of invertebrates and 12 species of plants. Recreation loads are excessive.

Kungey Ala-Too, Cholpon-Ata Plot. Ecosystems: steppes, meadows, forests, and mountain wetlands, including vegetation communities special to Northern Tien-Shan. The region contains 34 species of endemic insects. It suffers from excessive recreation load and cattle breeding. In the long term, the cleanliness of river water, which is used for Cholpon-Ata city, may be jeopardized.

Sary-Djaz, Kaindy Plot with mountain slopes of Inylchek Range. Ecosystem: mountain-forestry communities with flora and fauna typical to Central Tien-Shan, including a wide range of endemics: 31 species of endemic insects and eleven species of plants. This ecosystem is very sensitive to human impact.

Chuy Valley, southern neighborhood of Bishkek city, Boz-Boltok Mountain slopes. Ecosystem: steppe communities with rare and endemic species of flora and fauna: 36 unique insect species (17 endemics and 2 species entered in The Red Book of Kyrgyzstan), 14 unique species of legumes. This is a region of intensive recreation load.

Alay Valley, southwestern section of the border with Tajikistan, including Kok-Suu Plot. Ecosystems: steppe and meadow high mountains; a unique habitat for Gissar-Darvaz species of flora and fauna and for otters. This region suffers from unregulated cattle pasturing and uncontrolled hunting.

Terskey Ala-Too, Barskoon Plot. A small (5-8 hectares) fir forest in a river flood area with an intense colony of red forest ants and Formica truncorum, a rare spice for in this region. The colony serves as a nursery for ants that protect coniferous forests from noxious insects. The ant habitat is at risk from cattle breeding, tourism, and forest fires.

Mountain Range Teskey Ala-Too, Plot Djilandi; Kyrgyz mountain ridge, valley of Ala-Archa River, Kashka-Su mountain ridge; canyons on Alay and Turkistan mountain ridge. This area contains important representatives of fauna, especially birds and invertebrates. It suffers from excessive recreational activity.

Atonokskiy mountain range, Karasu, Kiziljar, Kurison Plots. Ecosystems: semi-desert and steppe-arid ecosystems with xerophilous bushes containing many representatives of Turan flora (endemic, relic, and rare kinds of plants for Kyrgyzstan) that are threatened by anthropogenic activity.