Alazani river valley (148)
Azerbaijan, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Qanıx (Alazan) çayının vadisi
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.4500, Longitude: 46.4833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 100 to 500
Area of KBA (km2): 46.45614
Protected area coverage (%): 13.19
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Patches of tugai forests with Populus, Salix, etc. in the Alazani river valley adjacent to the Georgian border. Land-uses include forestry and some cattle- and sheep-grazing.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas) 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 is a notable site for forest raptors, especially Aquila heliaca; with Accipiter brevipes probably breeding and Pandion haliaetus a rare visitor throughout the year. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (formerly bred, with probably 1 pair surviving). Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Ciconia nigra (5-6 pairs).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threatened by illegal tree-felling (`Other' threat).