Key Biodiversity Areas

Ismailly area (165)
Azerbaijan, Europe

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: İsmayıllı
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.9333, Longitude: 48.1667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 600 to 2250
Area of KBA (km2): 395.05818
Protected area coverage (%): 97.79
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: The reserve lies on the southern slope of the Great Caucasus. Broadleaved forest (Fagus, Carpinus, Quercus, etc.) predominates, with only 227 ha of subalpine meadows. All land-uses are prohibited.
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: Over 100 species typical of upland forests have been recorded. Breeding birds include raptors, Coracias garrulus and woodpeckers, Dryocopus martius being rare.

Habitats


Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Forest87
Grassland4

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Secondary meadows above 1,900 m were damaged by grazing before the reserve's establishment in 1981.
Threat level 1Threat level 2Threat level 3Timing
Agriculture & aquacultureLivestock farming & ranchingNomadic grazingOnly in the past and unlikely to return