Vilajchai valley (186)
Azerbaijan, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Vilajchai valley
Central coordinates: Latitude: 38.9833, Longitude: 48.5833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 100 to 1000
Area of KBA (km2): 8.74667
Protected area coverage (%): 83.36
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Broadleaved forests with bushes and scrub in the valley of the Vilajchai river, which flows eastwards from the Talysh mountains.
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.
Additional biodiversity: An important area for endemic subspecies of Phasianus colchicus˜ P. c. talishensis (25+ pairs). Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Ciconia nigra (2+ pairs). Other breeding species include Milvus migrans (common), Aquila pomarina and Hieraeetus pennatus, Alcedo atthis (very common), Coracias garrulus (common), woodpeckers and passerines. Milvus milvus is extremely rare in winter, Falco cherrug a rare winter visitor.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 50 | |
| Shrubland | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threats are intensive grazing, which prevents forest regeneration, poaching of Phasianus colchicus, and illegal tree-felling (`Other' threat).