Biodiversity hotspot: Mountains of Central Asia
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) safeguards the world’s biologically richest and most threatened regions, known as biodiversity hotspots. Thirty-six biodiversity hotspots, defined as regions that have at least 1,500 endemic plant species and have lost more than 70 percent of their original vegetation, have been identified globally. One of these hotspots is the Mountains of Central Asia, a global priority for conservation and the important centre of origin of domestic fruits and nuts , and several other agricultural crops.
This hotspot includes two of Asia’s major mountain systems — the Pamir and the Tien Shan. Covering about 860,000 square kilometers, it spans parts of seven countries: southeastern Kazakhstan, most of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, eastern Uzbekistan, western China, northeastern Afghanistan, and a small mountainous area of southeastern Turkmenistan.
This hotspot includes two of Asia’s major mountain systems — the Pamir and the Tien Shan. Covering about 860,000 square kilometers, it spans parts of seven countries: southeastern Kazakhstan, most of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, eastern Uzbekistan, western China, northeastern Afghanistan, and a small mountainous area of southeastern Turkmenistan.
Globally Threatened Species
In the Mountains of Central Asia, at least 126 species are at risk of extinction, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). About half are animals and half are plants — each part of a delicate balance of life in these mountains.
The snow leopard, one of the region’s most iconic species, has become a focus of conservation efforts. Thanks to these actions, its situation — and that of large mountain mammals like urial, argali, and markhor—has begun to improve.
Yet many plants remain under threat. Some grow only in small, isolated places, and others are wild relatives of crops like apple, pear, and apricot. Endemic and endangered tulips, a symbol of spring in the region, are also at risk from overgrazing and collection.
The snow leopard, one of the region’s most iconic species, has become a focus of conservation efforts. Thanks to these actions, its situation — and that of large mountain mammals like urial, argali, and markhor—has begun to improve.
Yet many plants remain under threat. Some grow only in small, isolated places, and others are wild relatives of crops like apple, pear, and apricot. Endemic and endangered tulips, a symbol of spring in the region, are also at risk from overgrazing and collection.
Unique and Spectacular Biodiversity
Key Biodiversity Areas
Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) are sites that play a critical role in maintaining global biodiversity. They are identified because they support species and ecosystems that are globally threatened, limited to small areas, or otherwise irreplaceable. KBAs are selected using internationally agreed criteria and thresholds set out in the IUCN 2016 Standard. In the Mountains of Central Asia hotspot, the ecosystem profile mainly applies three criteria: A1 (globally threatened species), B1 (geographically restricted species), and D1 (large concentrations of species). There are around 170 KBAs in the hotspot, including about 150 that have been confirmed. About 50 KBAs are important for birds and mammals, while most are identified because of endemic plant species and their habitats.
Here are a few selected examples of KBAs; more detailed information is available in the CEPF ecosystem profile.
Here are a few selected examples of KBAs; more detailed information is available in the CEPF ecosystem profile.
Charyn Canyon in southeastern Kazakhstan is one of the region’s most striking KBAs. Often compared to the Grand Canyon, it is known for its dramatic rock formations and rare and endemic species. The area provides important habitats for birds, mammals, and plants adapted to arid climate. Despite its beauty and ecological value, Charyn Canyon faces pressures from tourism and land use.
Dashtijum and Khushvoristan KBAs in southern Tajikistan, along the Afghan border, are among the country’s most striking landscapes, ranging from 700 to 3,000 meters and encompassing rugged mountains, river valleys, and intact ecosystems. The area is exceptionally rich in plants, including endemic flora and wild fruit and nut forests, especially pistachio. It is a stronghold for the markhor, whose population is among the most important in Central Asia.
KBAs Kasansay and Sary-Chelek in Kyrgyzstan, located in the Western Tian Shan, combine forested slopes and river valleys, and alpine meadows, supporting rich biodiversity, including many endemic plants and rare wildlife. Kasansay is known for its plant diversity and riparian forests along the Kasansay River. However, mining in the valley poses growing risks. Nearby Sary-Chelek Nature Reserve is one of the best-preserved areas in the region, famous for its mountain lakes and walnut-fruit forests.
The Nuratau Mountains in Uzbekistan form a KBA at the meeting point of deserts and mountains. This transition zone creates a rich mosaic of habitats, from dry foothills to rocky slopes and mountain pastures. The area supports rare and endemic species adapted to these harsh conditions, including the endangered Severtsov’s wild sheep and diverse plants. At the same time, grazing pressure, land use change, and increasing water scarcity pose growing challenges.
Narynkol and Tuzkol in southeastern Kazakhstan, near the border with China, are remote KBAs surrounded by high mountains. Their isolation has helped preserve largely undisturbed ecosystems. Together, they provide important habitats for many bird species and support unique mountain plants adapted to cold, dry conditions. Tuzkol is a key stopover site along the Central Asian–Indian flyway. In spring and autumn, thousands of cranes, ducks, and birds of prey gather here to rest and feed during migration.
The Talimarjan Reservoir in southern Uzbekistan is an important place for migratory birds. It is a key stopover and KBA for the critically endangered Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarius), which needs safe places to rest and feed during migration. CEPF grantees have worked in the area to monitor bird populations, raise awareness, and engage local communities in conservation efforts. Their work has helped highlight the site’s importance and reduce pressures on this habitat. A roadmap has also been developed to establish a locally managed protected area, supporting its long-term conservation.
Conservation Corridors and Migratory Species
Conservation corridors are large, connected landscapes that allow nature to function and species to move freely. They are especially important in mountain regions, where animals such as snow leopards, wild ungulates, and migratory birds need wide areas to survive. Corridors link Key Biodiversity Areas, helping maintain ecological connections and making ecosystems more resilient to climate change. In the Mountains of Central Asia, 26 corridors have been identified, covering a total of about 580,000 km². Their size varies depending on the landscape — from smaller river-based corridors of 1,000–2,000 km² to vast transboundary areas like the Pamir-Alai and Wakhan corridor, spanning up to 122,000 km².
People and Nature
The Mountains of Central Asia are closely linked to people’s lives. Natural pastures support livestock grazing and traditional herding. Local communities collect medicinal plants used in traditional healing. Mountain forests are home to wild relatives of crops — such as apples, pears, apricots, and nuts — many of which have shaped local varieties. Their fruits and nuts are sold in local markets and provide important income for families. The mountains also attract visitors with their beauty and rare wildlife. In some areas, trophy hunting supports local incomes and conservation. Protecting these mountains matters — for nature and for the people who depend on them.
Threats
The Mountains of Central Asia are under growing pressure from people. Farming, overgrazing, and mining are degrading forests and pastures and shrinking wildlife habitats. Tourism, roads, and expanding cities — along with rising waste — even inside national parks, disrupt natural connections and migration routes. Poaching and illegal wildlife trade add to the strain, while invasive species and diseases are spreading. Climate change makes things worse: the region is becoming drier, glaciers are shrinking, and habitats are shifting.
The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) is a joint initiative of l’Agence Française de Développement, Conservation International, the European Union, Fondation Franklinia, Fondation Hans Wilsdorf, the Global Environment Facility, the Government of Canada, the Government of Japan, the Hempel Foundation and the World Bank. CEPF supports civil society to conserve the world's biodiversity hotspots, build stronger organizations and help communities thrive.
CEPF and the Role of Civil Society
In the Mountains of Central Asia, CEPF began its work in 2016–2017 with the preparation of an ecosystem profile led by Zoï Environment Network, updated in 2025. The civil society grant programme (Phase I) ran from 2019 to 2025. During this time, grantees worked to protect wild fruit and nut trees, monitor threatened wildlife, improve protected areas, and reduce pressure on nature. These efforts helped improve the management of 2.6 million hectares across 55 Key Biodiversity Areas and involved around 150 communities.
CEPF’s grant programme in the Mountains of Central Asia will continue in 2026–2031. For more information and grant applications, please follow the link.
CEPF’s grant programme in the Mountains of Central Asia will continue in 2026–2031. For more information and grant applications, please follow the link.
Acknowledgements
This photo album was made possible through the contributions of many people, with the support of CEPF. We would like to extend special thanks to Elena Kreuzberg (pictured on horseback), a CEPF grantee who visited nearly all countries in the region and many Key Biodiversity Areas and nature reserves as part of capacity-building work with CSOs. Her photographs and captions form the core of this album, and her perspective as both a biologist and a passionate nature photographer helped capture the beauty and fragility of the Mountains of Central Asia.
We thank Sergey Toropov, Mark Pestov, Lina Waldschmidt, Rauf Sabitov, Vlad Ushakov, Merdan Arazmedov, Khurshed Olimov, Timur Abduraupov, Bakhtiyor Mardonov, Abduvokhid Safarov, Viktor Novikov, Firuza Illarionova and other CEPF partners — including “Avalon”, ACBK, Biodiversity Research and Conservation Center, Nature Protection Team, Flora & Fauna and the CEPF Secretariat — for generously providing project photos.
This photo album was made possible through the contributions of many people, with the support of CEPF. We would like to extend special thanks to Elena Kreuzberg (pictured on horseback), a CEPF grantee who visited nearly all countries in the region and many Key Biodiversity Areas and nature reserves as part of capacity-building work with CSOs. Her photographs and captions form the core of this album, and her perspective as both a biologist and a passionate nature photographer helped capture the beauty and fragility of the Mountains of Central Asia.
We thank Sergey Toropov, Mark Pestov, Lina Waldschmidt, Rauf Sabitov, Vlad Ushakov, Merdan Arazmedov, Khurshed Olimov, Timur Abduraupov, Bakhtiyor Mardonov, Abduvokhid Safarov, Viktor Novikov, Firuza Illarionova and other CEPF partners — including “Avalon”, ACBK, Biodiversity Research and Conservation Center, Nature Protection Team, Flora & Fauna and the CEPF Secretariat — for generously providing project photos.
CEPF Grant Map
Phase 1 (2019–2025)
