Altyn-Emel National Park

Altyn-Emel National Park (Kazakh: Алтынемел саябағы, Altynemel sayabaǵy ; Russian: Алтын-Эмель национальный парк , Altyn-Emel' Natsional'nyy Park) is a national park in Kazakhstan. It was created in 1996.[1] The park covers about 4,600 km2 (1,800 sq mi) between the Ili River and the Ak-Tau mountain range, near Lake Kapchagai, and consists mostly of desert and rocky terrain.[2]

Altyn-Emel National Park
IUCN category II (national park)
LocationAlmaty Region Kazakhstan
Coordinates44°20′0″N 78°26′0″E
Area460 000 ha
EstablishedApril 10, 1996

Features
Altyn Emel - Aktau
Steppe in Altyn-Emel National Park

Altyn-Emel National Park is located in the Ili River Valley, Kazakhstan. It comprises various landscapes, including sand desert, mountains, and flora. The park was founded on April 10, 1996, with the objective to preserve a natural park complex, as well as archaeological and historical monuments. It is the largest reserve in Kazakhstan and part of UNESCO's world heritage.

It consists of two main parts – the plain that adjoins the right Bank of the Ili river and the mountain – the spurs of the Dzungarian Alatau and the macro-slope of the Altyn Emel range. Small island mountain ranges are located on the plains. On the territory of the Park, Carboniferous deposits (300 million years old) have been identified, which are mainly represented by volcanites, Permian and Carboniferous deposits, and the most ancient deposits are Silurian. The Park's mountains are mostly composed of Paleozoic rocks that are 200 to 400 million years old.

Located within the park, the Besshatyr Burial Ground is a historical monument of Saka mounds. The burial mounds date back to the Iron Age (the VII-VI centuries BC), and were built by the nomads of Central Asian steppes. Objects found within the burial mounds include gold-plated trappings, gold adornments and utensils, weapons and armor.

Another prominent feature of the area are the Aktay mountains. The Aktay mountains are also referred to as the "lunar mountains" on account of their particular colors.[3][4] Aktau, which means "White mountains"in Kazakh. In translation from the Turkic-Mongolian Altyn-Emel means: "Altyn" - gold and "Emel" - saddle, which means"mountain pass".

The Singing Dunes

The "Singing Dunes" are located 300 kilometers (190 mi) from Almaty national park. The area is referred to as the Singing Dunes on account of the rumbling sound emitted from the sand. The Singing Barchan dune is 1.5 km (0.93 mi) long and 120 m (390 ft) high. The barchan is a crescent in form. When the wind is blowing from the west dispersing the sands, it can sound as if a pipe organ is playing. The cause of this phenomenon is still a mystery, but scientists theorize that in hot dry weather the sand gets electrified due to friction and creates a certain sonic vibration.[5]

Climate and ecoregion

The climate of Altyn-Emel is Humid continental climate, warm summer (Köppen climate classification (Dfb)). This climate is characterized by large seasonal temperature differentials and a warm summer (at least four months averaging over 10 °C (50 °F), but no month averaging over 22 °C (72 °F).[6][7] The park is in the Tian Shan foothill arid steppe ecoregion.[8]

Flora and fauna

The park serves to preserve rare and endangered plant and animal species. The flora of the Park includes 1,800 plant species, including 69 rare species. Also, 56 animal species within the park are considered rare, including argali, dziggetai, and Persian gazelle. Not counting insects and fish, at least 260 different animals live in Altyn Emel. There are endangered amphibians including the Siberian toad and rare and endangered birds including black stork and imperial eagle. Of 78 species of mammals, 11 are recorded in the Red Book of Kazakhstan, including stone marten, polecat, otter, manul (wild cat), wild ass, gazelle, argali, Asian barbastelle bat, Bukhara deer, lynx and Tien Shan brown bear. Kulan and Przewalski horses also live in the park.[9] Among the flora, it is worth noting the ancient white and black saxaul, small groves of iron wood (Caucasian frame), and Sievers apple trees.

Kosbastau oasis

The Kosbastau oasis, consisting of a grove of trees with a warm radon spring, is located in the plain between the Ulken-Kalkan Mountains in the west and the Katytau Mountains in the east. A natural monument - a 700-year-old willow - grows near the huntsman cordon. The exact age of the tree was revealed during the examination of the tree trunk, thick branches and roots. The willow was discovered during geological work in 1960. The monument is on the list of specially protected natural areas with the status of a nature protection and scientific institution, under the care of the administration of the Altyn-Emel National Park.[10][11]

References
  1. State National Natural Park "Altyn-Emel" UNESCO
  2. Altyn-Emel National Park Bird Life International
  3. "Разноцветные горы Актау: красочные ландшафты Казахстана". Travel.ru. Retrieved 2015-11-25.
  4. "Paleokazakhstan - Катутау". paleokazakhstan.info. Retrieved 2015-11-25.
  5. Singing Dune Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine STeK.kz
  6. Kottek, M.; J. Grieser; C. Beck; B. Rudolf & F. Rubel (2006). "World Map of Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification Updated" (PDF). Gebrüder Borntraeger. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  7. "Dataset - Koppen climate classifications". World Bank. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  8. "Map of Ecoregions 2017". Resolve, using WWF data. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  9. "Altyn Emel National Park". Caravanistan.
  10. Официальный сайт Государственного национального природного парка «Алтын-Эмель»
  11. Brummell & Oleynik, 2018: Kazakhstan. Bradt Travel Guides, 3rd edn, p.165
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