Shahbuz area (180)
Azerbaijan, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Şahbuz
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.5667, Longitude: 45.6833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1500 to 3120
Area of KBA (km2): 66.81809
Protected area coverage (%): 98.85
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: High mountains of the Little Caucasus (including Mount Kukudag, 3,120 m) with alpine meadows, ravines, precipices, etc. and the Bichenek high-altitude forest. Land-uses include sheep- and cattle-grazing, and mining.
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. Vipera sp. was also listed as a potential trigger species for this site (presumably V. kaznakovi / Montivipera wagneri) in the polygon attributes of the CEPF shapefile.
Additional biodiversity: The alpine and subalpine zones support at least one of the 10 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Eurasian high-montane biome. Breeding species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus. Other breeding raptors include Gypaetus barbatus, Gyps fulvus, Neophron percnopterus, Aquila chrysaetos (possibly breeds) and Bubo bubo.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 33 | |
| Forest | 33 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Intensive grazing is a threat and the war with Armenia is likely to have caused damage (`Other' threat). This IBA contains the only forest in the Nakhichevan region. A nature reserve is planned.