Lachin area (170)
Azerbaijan, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Laçın
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.7833, Longitude: 46.4167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 1800
Area of KBA (km2): 470.32545
Protected area coverage (%): 59.57
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Low mountains of Karabakh ridge and Karabakh upland. More than half the site is covered by Juniperus forests, and there is mountain steppe in the north. The main land-use is sheep-grazing.
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: Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aquila heliaca, Falco naumanni, Tetrao mlokosiewiczi. Ciconia ciconia and C. nigra, at least 14 raptor species and Alectoris chukar (very common) also breed. Milvus milvus is a very rare summer visitor and Gypaetus barbatus possibly breeds.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 50 | |
| Grassland | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include intensive grazing, poaching and tree-felling. The area was probably damaged as a result of the war with Armenia (`Other' threat). The game reserve was established primarily to protect wild goat Capra aegagrus.