Lake Hajigabul (3616)
Azerbaijan, Europe
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, A1d, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2005
National site name: Hacıqabul gölü
Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.9917, Longitude: 48.9250
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -18 to -18
Area of KBA (km2): 15.00022
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Lake Hajigabul lies in the Kura valley near of Ali-Bairamly town. The lake itself play important role for wintering of water birds and system of fish pounds (with reach overgrows of reed) is suitable habitat for lots of breeding birds. Area of the lake (together with fish pounds and some shoals) is 2500 ha.
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: Although this lake had relatively few reed stands, many waterbirds rest there in winter (e.g. Anas platyrhynchos, diving ducks and sometimes Fulica atra). In the past, good numbers of Anser anser, A. albifrons, A. erythropus and Branta ruficollis were recorded resting during the day after feeding in the Shirvan steppe. The three Anser species still occur at Lake Hadjikabul, but their numbers are very low (Vereshchagin 1950; M. Patrikeev, in litt.). In February 1998, Oxyura leucocephala were observed at Lake Hadjikabul (Cranswick et al. 1998).
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Some fish farms are working on the territory of the lake. Surrounding lands use for agriculture (animal husbandry and farming).
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture (90%) | hunting (85%) | urban/industrial/transport (5%) | water management (15%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 90 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The main threat is unstable water supply from Kura river and as result strong declining of water level in breeding season.The hunting and activity of wish farms are also significant disturbance for birds, especially on fish pounds.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (agricultural use) | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Pollution | Industrial & military effluents | Type Unknown/Unrecorded | Only in the future |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |