Fishkhaboor (32138)
Iraq, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Fishkhaboor
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.1118, Longitude: 42.3833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 329 to 410
Area of KBA (km2): 41.76778
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site consists of foothills and lowlands including a narrow riparian strip along the Tigris and Fishkhaboor (Khabour) Rivers. A pontoon bridge and a newly constructed bridge cross the river approximately 6.3 km downstream of the point where the Tigris River enters Iraq, which allows access to the Syrian border. This is the only KBA site that falls within the Iraqi portion of the Eastern Mediterranean Ecoregion (PA1207) as defined by the World Wildlife Fund, however Fishkhaboor does not clearly show the key features associated with this ecoregion
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: During the survey a total of 36 species were recorded. The site held breeding populations of one Mediterranean, two Irano-Turanian and one Sahara-Sindian biome-restricted species but these did not trigger inclusion under criterion A3. Other Important Fauna: Mammal data were collected in summer 2010. According to local interviews, significant mammals seen at the site include Grey Wolf Canis lupus, and Golden Jackal Canis aureus. Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra (Near Threatened) tracks were found along the river. Fish: Alburnus mossulensis, Cyprinion kais, C. macrostomum, Garra rufa, and Liza abu were recorded in 2008. Additional Plant & Habitat Information: Two species, Centaurea pseudosinaica and Brassica kaber, were recorded in Iraq for the first time at this site.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The main habitat here is Riverine Forest of the Plains. The site is located in the moist steppe zone, and the geology is sandstones, clay, and sandy gravels and soil type is sandy clay. There are extensive gravel mining operations throughout the area on the Tigris and Fishkhaboor Rivers. Two sub-sites were visited in this area.
Land use: agriculture | energy production and mining | hunting | urban/industrial/transport | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Fishkhaboor received a rating of medium or high for five of the threat categories assessed. High threats were over-exploitation of species (border police at the site reported hunting in the area), human intrusion and disturbance (minefields are aggregated on the Iraqi-Turkish border, in areas near Tuwan such as Cheae Bekher and Ware Smaili) and pollution, particualrly sewage from the city of Zakho upstream. Very high threats were mining (gravel) along the Fishkhaboor River as well as the Tigris; transportation and service corridors (especially road building in areas where most gravel mining occurs); Many of these threats have caused extensive damage to the riparian forest habitat. Agriculture and commercial development present medium threats to the area.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |