Mount Kargabazar and Mount Gush-gaya (166)
Azerbaijan, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Mount Kargabazar and Mount Gush-gaya
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.3667, Longitude: 49.3333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 284
Area of KBA (km2): 38.33989
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area of low, rocky mountains in the semi-desert of Gobustan upland. Land-uses include intensive sheep-grazing and some oil exploration.
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: Notable breeding species: Tadorna ferruginea (5+ pairs, 10-12 km from nearest water-body), Falco biarmicus (1 pair formerly bred; only site in USSR), Apus melba (20-25 pairs, only colony in Gobustan upland), Merops superciliosus. Among very common passerines are Oenanthe isabellina, O. finschii and Sitta neumayer.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 50 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threat is overgrazing. There is also some poaching.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |