Zakataly (141)
Azerbaijan, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Zaqatala
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.7333, Longitude: 46.6667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 630 to 3648
Area of KBA (km2): 280.41917
Protected area coverage (%): 99.16
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area on the southern slope of the main Caucasian ridge (Great Caucasus). All the high-altitude vegetation zones are well defined, from broadleaved forest (mainly of Fagus, also Quercus, Carpinus, Acer, etc.) to alpine meadows. The relief is mountainous with deep chasms.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Caucasus Hotspot (2003, updated 2004). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2002 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: This IBA has a diverse upland avifauna (104 species recorded), including at least three of the 10 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Eurasian high-montane biome, as well as (e.g.) several raptors (Gypaetus barbatus, Accipiter brevipes, Aquila chrysaetos, Otus scops, Bubo bubo, etc.), Alectoris chukar, Coturnix coturnix, woodpeckers, and many passerines, among which are Cinclus cinclus, Phoenicurus erythrogaster and Turdus torquatus. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 3 | |
| Grassland | 28 | |
| Forest | 67 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 3 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Tetrao mlokosiewiczi and Tetraogallus caucasicus have suffered from habitat loss since reserve boundaries changed, the reserve was split into two and some meadows were lost to grazing. It is recommended that the meadows (3,660 ha) separating the two sections of the reserve should be acquired for protection and that geological prospecting should cease in the Filizchai basin, returning at least 1,000 ha, taken away in 1978, to the reserve.