Samur Delta (176)
Azerbaijan, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Samur deftası
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.7833, Longitude: 48.7000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -27 to 75
Area of KBA (km2): 193.68073
Protected area coverage (%): 87.73
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Remnants of broadleaved forests (Quercus, Tilia, Ulmus, Fagus, etc.) in the lowland river delta of north-eastern Azerbaijan; the site also extends into Dagestan (Russia). Sand beaches along Caspian coast have been largely lost (inundated) since mid-1980s˜a few pebble beaches remain. Main land-uses around, and to some extent within, forest patches are crop-growing and cattle-grazing, while increasing numbers of tourists and others frequent the Caspian coast.
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: Haliaeetus albicilla (1-2 breeding pairs still present on the Dagestan side of this site). Other breeding species include Ciconia nigra, Aquila pomarina, Alcedo atthis (30+ pairs), and Coracias garrulus (50+ pairs). There is a congregation of seabirds off the delta from July to August (some thousands, but never counted) including Pelecanus sp. (some tens).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 33 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats come from fragmentation of the forests for agriculture and disturbance from tourism. There is also some poaching.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Ongoing |