“CHU–ILI MOUNTAINS LANDSCAPES”: THE FIRST EXPERIENCE IN KAZAKHSTAN OF DESIGNATING AN IMPORTANT PLANT AREA UNDER UPDATED CRITERIA

Abstract

Against the backdrop of Kazakhstan’s pronounced biogeographical mosaic, the designation of Important Plant Areas (IPAs) serves as a practical tool for spatially prioritizing measures to conserve the country’s vegetation cover. This paper presents the results of testing the criteria for identifying IPAs adapted to the conditions of Kazakhstan, and their alignment with the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) approach. Using the case of the Chu-Ili Mountains (IPA-KZ-IS), we demonstrate the applicability of localized criteria A–C, emphasizing the need for rigorous taxonomic validation (POWO, WCVP, IPNI) and the integration of heterogeneous data sources (GBIF, iNaturalist, herbarium collections, and field surveys). The geographical boundaries and species composition of xeropetrophytic communities of desertified steppes have been delineated, revealing a high concentration (up to 90% of the global population) of the paleoendemic Incarvillea semiretschenskia, together with several geographically restricted endemics, including Tulipa regelii. These findings support the use of subcriteria A1, A3, A4, B2, B3, and, under regional interpretation, C3. Practical recommendations are proposed, including a standardized IPA description form, unified coding of habitats, threats, and land use (IUCN Habitats v3.1; IUCN-CMP Threats v3.2), boundary mapping, and the integration of IPAs into national protected area and OECM networks, as well as into spatial planning tools, in the context of achieving the global biodiversity conservation target 30×30.