Parazan (32159)
Iraq, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2015
National site name: Parazan
Central coordinates: Latitude: 35.6268, Longitude: 45.7385
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 966 to 1480
Area of KBA (km2): 36.19517
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The geology of the area is sedimentary and the soil type is sandy clay. Kura Kazhaw Mountain, where there is a spring, is located in the south. A small stream flows through Nalparez District. The villages of Haji Mamand, Gweze Resh, Dolle Pemu, Deremyaneh and Sarkhwar surround the site
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 surveys, 53 species were observed. The site held breeding Levant Sparrowhawk Accipiter brevipes (Eurasian Steppe and Desert biome-restricted species) as well as two Irano-Turanian and four Mediterranean biome-restricted species but these did not trigger inclusion under criterion A3. Eastern Cinereous Bunting Emberiza semenowi (Near Threatened) was breeding. Other Important Fauna: Data for mammals were collected in 2010 only. Locals reported the presence of Jungle Cat Felis chaus and recent wolf attacks on livestock. Also, in 2012 there was a report of a leopard kill on Kartoo Mountain near Mame Khelan village approximately 5 km north of Parazan. Direct observations were made of Persian Squirrel Sciurus anomalus, which is a Least Concern species but has a declining population trend overall and is heavily persecuted for the pet trade in Iraq. Fish data were not collected for this site. Additional Plant & Habitat Information: There is a good population of Anchusa italica, Gundelia tournefortii, Morus alba, and M. nigra, which are important as traditional foods and a vinyard containing Vitis venefira is also present, which is important as a genetic resource.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: The main habitat here is open oak woodlands with many large oak trees. The area is a popular picnic site despite many minefields on the surrounding mountains.
Land use: military | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The salient threats are human intrusion from tourism as well as minefields remaining from the Iran/Iraq war (rated very high). High threats were from livestock production/grazing and agriculture as well as municipal and residential development including the construction of a new health center and renovation of some older houses in the nearby village. However, the upper part of area was in better ecological condition and it is considered one of the best areas for oak forests in the Kurdistan region. Pollution due to garbage from picnickers is also a big problem at the site, especially in the spring, as is waste management in local villages.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | War, civil unrest & military exercises | Ongoing |