Dasht-e-Moghan (8066)
Iran, Islamic Republic of, Middle East

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2004

National site name: Dasht-e-Moghan

Central coordinates: Latitude: 39.5833, Longitude: 48.0000

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 10 to 10

Area of KBA (km²): 582.44843

KBA classification: Regional

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site comprises cultivated lowland plains near the town of Parsabad, c.160 km north of Ardabil in extreme north-east Azarbayjan. The area is bordered in the north-west by the Aras river and in the north-east by the frontier with Azerbaijan. At this point, the Aras river flows in a broad valley c.1.5-2.0 km wide and 10 m below the level of the adjacent plains; it is wide and meandering, with many braided channels and shingle banks. The riverine habitats include stagnant pools with emergent marsh vegetation, open Tamarix scrub (mainly on the many small islands) and grassy areas. The plains are densely populated, with many small villages, and are almost entirely cultivation with cotton and wheat, though there are some areas of short grassland and Artemisia steppe in the east and Populus stands around the villages. There is some livestock grazing. Land ownership is public.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Caucasus Hotspot (2003, updated 2004). Taxonomy, nomenclature and threat category follow the 2002 IUCN Red List.

Additional biodiversity: See box for key species. An important wintering area for geese and ducks; one of the best areas in Iran for Anser albifrons. The goose flocks feed at dawn and dusk on the cultivated plains of the Dasht-e-Moghan and spend much of the day loafing on shingle banks in the river. Small numbers of Mergus merganser occur along the river, and Phalacrocorax carbo also winters. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | hunting | rangeland/pastureland

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Grassland	5
Artificial - Terrestrial	48
Wetlands(Inland)	48

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The geese are subject to high levels of disturbance from farm workers when feeding on the cultivated plains, and there is some waterfowl hunting.

Additional information

References: Scott (1976a).