Yashma Island (187)
Azerbaijan, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Yaşma adası
Central coordinates: Latitude: 40.7333, Longitude: 49.5333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -27 to -27
Area of KBA (km2): 8.0007
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A low sandy island near the Absheron peninsula. There are shallows with patches of reeds. The island and the adjacent mainland shore are rented by the Hunters' Society of Azerbaijan.
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: Breeding birds include herons, gulls and terns. A staging site of great significance for passage waterbirds, with Phalacrocorax carbo, herons, wildfowl (Cygnus cygnus and ducks, some also wintering), Fulica atra (10,000+) and, especially, a wide range of shorebirds, some 20,000-30,000 annually. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Pelecanus crispus (rare passage visitor), Numenius tenuirostris (Yashma Island is the only site in the country where this species occurs at present; 1 shot in 1988 and, according to hunters, an annual passage-visitor, but extremely rare, with flocks of 2-4 birds). Non-bird biodiversity: Site has big importance for such species of fish as Huso huso, Acipenser guldenstadti, A. stellatus, Salmo caspius, Aspius aspius, Cyprinus carpio etc.
Delineation rationale: 2018-06-27 (BL Secretariat): the site area has been increased from 200 ha (2000 IBA) to 250 ha (2005 IBA).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The territory of the site mostly use for hunting and fishing. Small part of area are using for some agricultural needs.
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (90%) | hunting (90%) | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Main threats is a farm of hunters and fishers. It creates big disturbans for birds. There is some poaching also present at this territory.