Mount Shahdag (181)
Azerbaijan, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2004
National site name: Şahdağ
Central coordinates: Latitude: 41.2167, Longitude: 47.9833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 3000 to 4243
Area of KBA (km2): 124.3265
Protected area coverage (%): 99.47
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: One of the highest mountains in Azerbaijan (4,243 m) with ravines, cliffs, alpine and subalpine meadows, glaciers and eternal snow. Land-uses include sheep-grazing and mountaineering.
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: The alpine and subalpine zones support at least four of the 10 species in Europe that are restricted (when breeding) to the Eurasian high-montane biome. The site also supports breeding raptors (Gypaetus barbatus, Gyps fulvus, etc.) and, among passerines, Cinclus cinclus, Phoenicurus erythrogaster and Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Aegypius monachus (possibly breeds), Aquila heliaca (possibly breeds).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 50 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include intensive grazing and some poaching. There was a plan to designate the area as a National Park.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Only in the future |