Astara-chai valley (151)
Azerbaijan, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Astaraçay vadisi
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.4167, Longitude: 48.7000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 500
Area of KBA (km2): 20.782
Protected area coverage (%): 60.02
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Broadleaved forests and scrub in the Astara-chai valley. When part of the Soviet Union, the area had been within the restricted border zone, requiring a special pass to enter (`Other' land-use).
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.
Additional biodiversity: The only area in Azerbaijan where the P.c. talishensis subspecies of Phasianus colchicus has a good chance of survival (up to 75 breeding pairs). Accipiter badius possibly breeds, though there have been no definite records since 1953. There are a number of restricted-range passerine subspecies. Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Aquila pomarina (3+ pairs). Alcedo atthis, Coracias garrulus and Dendrocopos medius are all very common breeding birds. Milvus milvus is a rare visitor, especially in the winter, and possibly breeds.
Habitats
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 50 | |
| Forest | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Current threats include illegal tree-felling (`Other' threat) and poaching of Phasianus colchicus.