Oshtrankuh Protected Area (8117)
Iran, Islamic Republic of, Middle East

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 1994

National site name: Oshtrankuh Protected Area

Central coordinates: Latitude: 33.3333, Longitude: 49.2500

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 2100 to 4330

Area of KBA (km²): 951.65604

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Regional

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The mountain of Oshtrankuh (4,330 m) in the high central Zagros c.80 km south-west of Borujerd. Gaharl lake, of glacial origin, c.1.75 km long and 600 m wide, lies at 2,350 m in the central valley, with a dense stand of very old Salix trees. Other habitats include some Quercus forest and Pistacia-Amygdalus forest on the lower slopes, several fast-flowing perennial mountain streams, montane steppe, alpine meadows, rocky mountain slopes and high crags. Plants include Daphne angustifolia, Euphorbia species and Circium congestum. 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.

Additional biodiversity: See box for key species. The breeding bird fauna is characteristic of the high Zagros and includes some woodland species typical of lower elevations. Other notable species include Dendrocopos medius, Melanocorypha bimaculata, Hirundo rupestris, Ficedula semitorquata, Parus lugubris, Pyrrhocorax graculus, Montifringilla nivalis and Emberiza buchanani. Hippolais icterina was thought to have bred in 1974. At least 81 species have been recorded in the reserve. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Canis lupus (V), Ursus arctos (rare), Panthera pardus (rare), Capra hircus aegagrus (rare) and Ovis ammon (rare).

Delineation rationale: 2009-11-30 (BL Secretariat): area of site has been increased from 93,950 ha to 99,250 ha, so as to match the increased size of Oshtran Kuh Protected Area (according to WDPA 2009).

Habitats

Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Wetlands(Inland)	5
Forest	5
Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks)	5
Grassland	85

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The whole site was designated a Protected Area in 1970. No threats are known.

Additional information