Chamchamal (32129)
Iraq, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Chamchamal
Central coordinates: Latitude: 35.4213, Longitude: 44.6183
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 420 to 900
Area of KBA (km2): 247.64054
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This area includes the foothills located approximately 12 km southwest of the town of Chamchamal. The site is located in the Moist Steppe Zone, where the geology consists of sandstones, clay and sandy gravels, and the soil type is sandy clay.
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)
Additional biodiversity: Additional Important Bird Observations: A total of 64 bird species were seen during the survey period. Eastern Imperial Eagle Aquila heliaca (Vulnerable) was observed in winter; the site held breeding populations of two Mediterranean, three Irano-Turanian and three Sahara-Sindian Desert biome-restricted species but these did not trigger inclusion under criterion A3. Other Important Fauna: There have been reports of Goitered Gazelle Gazella subgutturosa (Vulnerable) being hunted in the area. Not enough data were collected under the rapid assessment. Fish: This site has a small, shallow stream. Data were collected in 2007 and 2008, and three significant species were observed: Acanthobrama marmaid, Alburnus mossulensis, and Garra rufa. Additional Plant & Habitat Information: This site contains some plants which are important as genetic resources including Triticum aestivum, Triticum durum, and Hordeum vulgare ssp. Spontaneum
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Main habitat is steppe but the botanical survey evaluated an area of the Riverine Forest of the Plains (Al-Ahrash) along the stream. The non-vegetated area covered about 50% of the site. A small seasonal stream (Khra Azizy) runs southwards through the area. There are also small drainages running between the hills made by seasonal rainfall. Farming is heavily practiced and hunting pressure is high.
Land use: agriculture | hunting | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: This is an important plain areas in Iraq and is under serious threat from agriculture and hunting. Field crops and vegetable fields were observed throughout, and livestock grazing had a noticeable impact. The site is further affected by picnicking (people were seen cooking and throwing garbage in the site), human intrusion and transportation threats (all considered high).
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |