Heritage with Related Tags
Saryarka – Steppe and Lakes of Northern Kazakhstan
The Saryalka-Northern Kazakhstan Steppe and Lakes Reserve consists of two reserves: the Naurzum State Nature Reserve and the Kolgarzhin State Nature Reserve, with a total area of 450,344 hectares. The wetlands within the reserve are of great importance for migratory birds, including globally endangered species, including the extremely rare Siberian white crane, the Dalmatian pelican, the red-necked sea eagle, etc. The wetlands are an important stopover and crossroads on the Central Asian flyway for African, European and South Asian birds flying to their breeding grounds in Western Siberia and Eastern Siberia. The 200,000 hectares of Central Asian steppes within the reserve provide a valuable refuge for more than half of the region's steppe plant species, many endangered bird species, and the critically endangered saiga antelope, which was previously abundant but has been greatly reduced due to poaching. The property includes two groups of freshwater and saltwater lakes located on the watershed of rivers flowing north to the Arctic and south to the Aral Sea-Irtysh River Basin.
Niokolo-Koba National Park
Located in a well-watered area along the Gambia River, Niokolo-Koba National Park's gallery forests and savannahs are home to a very rich fauna, including gemsbok (the largest antelope), chimpanzees, lions, leopards and large numbers of elephants, as well as many species of birds, reptiles and amphibians.
Qinghai Hoh Xil
Located at the northeastern end of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Hoh Xil in Qinghai is the world's largest and highest plateau. This vast system of mountains and grasslands is over 4,500 meters above sea level, with average temperatures below zero all year round. The geographical and climatic conditions of the area have fostered unique biodiversity. More than one-third of the plant species and all herbivorous mammals are endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The site protects the intact migration route of the Tibetan antelope, one of the endangered large mammals endemic to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau.
ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape
The ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape is located on the northern border of Botswana and Namibia, coinciding with the Kalahari Gazelle National Park (KGNP). This vast sandy area preserves evidence of human habitation from the Stone Age to the present day and is associated with the culture of the pre-nomadic ǂKhomani San people and their strategies for adapting to the harsh desert conditions. They developed specific ethnobotanical knowledge, cultural practices and a worldview related to the geographical features of their environment. The ǂKhomani Cultural Landscape bears witness to the way of life that prevailed in the area and shaped the site over thousands of years.
Oluk Bani Maaride
Located in the western part of the Rub' al Khali Desert, the world's largest shifting desert, the site features a spectacular desert landscape. The diverse topography creates a living space for a rich variety of wildlife. Iconic desert animals such as the Arabian Oryx and the Arabian Gazelle were once extinct in the wild, but decades later they were reintroduced into this natural habitat, bringing global attention to the site. The shifting sand dunes also provide a comfortable environment with plenty of oxygen for sand-dwelling invertebrates and reptiles.
Jiuzhaigou Valley Scenic and Historic Interest Area
Located in northern Sichuan Province, Jiuzhaigou covers an area of 72,000 hectares and is over 4,800 meters above sea level. It is composed of a series of diverse forest ecosystems. Jiuzhaigou is a scenic area with a series of narrow conical karst landforms and spectacular waterfalls as its most striking feature. The valley is also home to about 140 bird species and several endangered plant and animal species, including the giant panda and Sichuan takin.
Arabian Oryx Sanctuary
The Arabian Oryx Sanctuary is located within the Central Oman Desert and Coastal Hills biogeographic region. Seasonal fog and dew support a unique desert ecosystem, with a diverse flora that includes several endemic plants. Rare animals here include the first free-ranging herd of Arabian Oryx since the species became extinct in the wild in 1972, which was reintroduced in 1982. It is also the only wild breeding site for the endangered Houbara Bustard (a wading bird) in Arabia, as well as Nubian Ibex, Arabian wolves, honey badgers, caracals and the largest wild population of Arabian gazelles.