Ilam area (8116)
Iran, Islamic Republic of, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Ilam area
Central coordinates: Latitude: 33.6667, Longitude: 46.5000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1200 to 2650
Area of KBA (km2): 359.59433
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Rugged limestone ridges and broad valleys in the north-west Zagros Mountains c.10 km north of Ilam (38 km by road). No site boundaries are yet determined for this extensive region. The principal habitats are large tracts of mature forest with Quercus, Pistacia and Acer in the valleys, scrubby Quercus woodland on rocky hillsides, and spectacular limestone ridges and outcrops peaking at 2,650 m. The Quercus forest, very open and park-like in some areas, is among the finest in the northern Zagros, with many very large trees. There is some wheat cultivation.
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 possesses a characteristic Zagros Quercus forest avifauna, and is one of the few localities in Iran where Emberiza cineracea is known to breed. Other notable breeding species are Dendrocopos medius, Hirundo obsoleta, Parus lugubris, Lanius nubicus and Petronia xanthocollis. The site is important for Grus grus in winter. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Forest | 85 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: No threats are known. The area is recommended for further study by the Department of the Environment.
Additional information
References: Fotoohi and Scott (1975), Scott (1980).