Kusari (Gusari) area (169)
Azerbaijan, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Qusar
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.4833, Longitude: 48.3833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 200 to 1500
Area of KBA (km2): 139.68629
Protected area coverage (%): 64.92
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Forests in the Samur valley, including bushes and scrub, on low hills and extending up to 1,000-1,500 m into the mountains. The main land-uses are grazing, arable farming and forestry.
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 site supports at least 16 raptor species, most of which are breeders. Neophron percnopterus only possibly breeds, while Pandion haliaetus is a rare visitor throughout the year. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus (status uncertain; common visitor throughout the year), Aquila heliaca (breeds), Crex crex (occurs on passage).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 25 | |
| Grassland | 25 | |
| Forest | 25 | |
| Shrubland | 25 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is some illegal tree-felling and poaching. Grazing hinders forest regeneration. The game reserve was established mainly for the protection of Phasianus colchicus and game mammals (wild boar Sus scrofa and roe deer Capreolus capreolus, etc.).