Shahdidi spit (179)
Azerbaijan, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Şah dili
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.2768, Longitude: 50.3667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -27 to -27
Area of KBA (km2): 103.11239
Protected area coverage (%): 39.79
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is the tip of the Absheron peninsula near Baku, formerly with sandy beaches, about a third of which was flooded as the level of the Caspian Sea rose during the 1980s. As a result of water level raising the tip of the spit got detached and form a long island named Suiti. The flooded area is now being colonized by reeds. All land-uses are prohibited.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: The IBA is notable for passage and wintering Pelecaniformes and Ciconiiformes. At least 20,000 ducks and 40,000 Fulica atra migrate through the area. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Phalacrocorax pygmeus (non-breeding: 2-4 winter in some years), Circus macrourus (3-4 winter). Non-bird biodiversity: One of most important place for the Caspian Seal Phoca caspica in Azerbaijan. It is possible to find 100-200 individuals of them in any season of the year.
Delineation rationale: 2018-01-22 (BL Secretariat): site area expanded from 500 ha (2000 IBA) to incorporate Absheron Sanctuary (2004 KBA; 10,313 ha).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: This territory is mostly covered by State Nature reserve and was proposed to creation of Natural Park. All type of land-use are prohibited now on this territory.
Land use: military (10%) | nature conservation and research (90%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 10 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 60 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Although the whole site is protected as a Nature Reserve which is owned by the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, some poaching is a threat as well as disturbance from fishers.