Western Zagros north of Nowsud (8110)
Iran, Islamic Republic of, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Western Zagros north of Nowsud
Central coordinates: Latitude: 35.2167, Longitude: 46.2333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 680 to 2984
Area of KBA (km2): 567.51897
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An extensive region of high mountain ridges and steep-sided valleys with spectacular limestone crags and pinnacles at the extreme north-west end of the Zagros chain, north of the small town of Nowsud and c.30 km south-south-east of Marivan. No site boundaries are yet determined. The region contains a broad spectrum of Zagros habitats: luxuriant riverine forest of Quercus, Juglans and Populus in the valley bottoms; mature Quercus forest, scrubby Quercus woodland and terraced wheat cultivation on the lower slopes; rocky hillsides with tragacanthic steppe and scattered Pistacia trees on the higher slopes; and rocky outcrops and alpine tundra at the summits, peaking at 2,984 m. Snow patches linger on the highest ridge until at least mid-July.
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 region has a characteristic Zagros avifauna, including most species typical of the Zagros Quercus forest as well as most of the high montane species. Other notable breeding species include Dendrocopos medius, Lanius nubicus, Pyrrhocorax graculus, Montifringilla nivalis and Emberiza buchanani. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Delineation rationale: 2010-02-03 (BL Secretariat): site area was not defined in the original IBA publication/inventory; here, it has been derived by GIS from the draft polygon.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 80 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: No threats are known and no conservation measures are known to have been proposed.