Gobustan area (162)
Azerbaijan, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Qobustan
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.1833, Longitude: 49.3667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 550
Area of KBA (km2): 65.62534
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Low, semi-arid mountains, including the flat summits of Beukdash, Kichikdash, Kagnizdag, Djingirdag and the dry stream of Djeirankechmez. Some trees and bushes on the eastern slopes (wild Pyrus, Ficus, Punica, etc.). Quarrying for limestone has taken place in the past.
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: Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Falco naumanni (non-breeding; rare summer visitor). Breeding species include Buteo rufinus, Alectoris chukar (rare), Cercotrichas galactotes, Oenanthe pleschanka, Oenanthe finschii, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, Petronia petronia and Emberiza melanocephala.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 25 | |
| Forest | 25 | |
| Shrubland | 25 | |
| Desert | 25 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats come from sheep- and cattle-grazing, and disturbance from tourists and low-flying military aircraft. The central and southern part of the IBA is covered wholly, and the northern section partly, by the Gobustan Nature Monument. The area is a Nature Monument (virtually unprotected), established to safeguard archaeological artifacts.