Sarani (8101)
Iran, Islamic Republic of, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Sarani
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.7500, Longitude: 58.1667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1800 to 2987
Area of KBA (km2): 162.49556
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A portion of the Kopet Dagh Mountains on the Turkmenistan border in northern Khorasan, 40 km north-north-east of Shirvan, extending from the rolling plains and semi-arid foothills in the south to the international boundary running along the crest of the mountains. The climate is extreme continental, with hot dry summers and very cold winters. Principal habitats include rolling plains with Artemisia steppe and some dry wheat cultivation (1,800-1,950 m), mixed deciduous scrub with herbaceous ground cover and a scattering of Juniperus (c.2,000 m), mature Juniperus forest with a mixture of other shrubs on steep limestone mountain-sides (1,800-2,500 m) and mountain summits and high ridges with good montane steppe (2,400-2,987 m). Snow patches linger until at least the end of June. The many springs and streams support small patches of lush grassland. The Juniperus forests are among the finest in Iran, with some exceptionally large trees.
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.
Additional biodiversity: See box for key species. The breeding birds include species characteristic of the montane steppes, Juniperus forests and high mountain ranges of north-east Iran. This is one of the few areas where Mycerobas carnipes is known in Iran, and the only locality where Emberiza stewarti has been recorded (found in song in 1973, and may breed). Other notable species include Melanocorypha bimaculata, Sylvia hortensis, Montifringilla nivalis and Emberiza buchanani. At least 87 species have been recorded in the reserve. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Canis lupus (V), Ursus arctos (rare), Caracal caracal (rare), Panthera pardus (rare), Capra hircus aegagrus (rare) and Ovis ammon (rare).
Delineation rationale: 2009-11-30 (BL Secretariat): the area of Sarany Protected Area has been decreased from 17,800 ha to 15,895 ha (according to WDPA 2009), but the IBA area has not been correspondingly decreased, pending identification/investigation of the excised portion with respect to its importance for birds.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research (100%) | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Grassland | 80 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The area was established as a National Park in 1971, downgraded to Protected Area in the 1980s. No threats are known.
Additional information
References: Scott (1972e).