Horeh Bamdej (8123)
Iran, Islamic Republic of, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, D1a
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Horeh Bamdej
Central coordinates: Latitude: 31.7500, Longitude: 48.6000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 45 to 45
Area of KBA (km2): 45.56999
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large permanent freshwater marsh with relatively little open water, in an inter-fluvial depression between the Dez and Karkheh rivers 45 km north-north-west of Ahwaz. Open water supports abundant floating and submerged aquatic vegetation, and the marsh is dominated by extensive Phragmites and Typha with a surrounding belt of seasonally inundated sedge marsh and arable land.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: See boxes for key species. Horeh Bamdej is an important breeding area for herons and egrets (including Ardea purpurea), Marmaronetta angustirostris, Circus aeruginosus, Porphyrio porphyrio, Himantopus himantopus, Glareola pratincola and Vanellus leucurus. Acrocephalus melanopogon and A. stentoreus breed in the reedbeds. The site is also very important for wintering Pelecanus crispus, herons and egrets, Platalea leucorodia, Anser anser, surface-feeding ducks (regularly over 20,000), Fulica atra, Himantopus himantopus, Vanellus leucurus and Limosa limosa. Threskiornis aethiopicus occurs in winter, and small numbers (apparently non-breeders) have been observed in summer, as also Ciconia ciconia. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Habitats
Land use: not utilised
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 95 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is no legal protection. Parts of the wetland are currently being drained for agriculture.
Additional information
References: Scott (1976a,c, 1978a), Scott and Carp (1972).