Izeh and Sheikho lakes (8127)
Iran, Islamic Republic of, Middle East

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1d

Year of last assessment: 1994

National site name: Izeh and Sheikho lakes

Central coordinates: Latitude: 31.8667, Longitude: 49.9000

System: freshwater, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 90 to 90

Area of KBA (km²): 27.63519

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Two small freshwater lakes in a broad valley in the foothills of the western Zagros Mountains near the small town of Izeh, 125 km east-north-east of Ahwaz. Sheikho, the larger lake (c.300 ha), lies north-west of the town. It is shallow and almost entirely overgrown with emergent vegetation except around the edges where heavy grazing and trampling by cattle maintain some open water. Izeh lake (c.250 ha), east of the town, is somewhat deeper with much more open water. Both lakes are fed by local run-off and large springs at the base of nearby hills. The plains around the lake and to the south are cultivated, mainly for wheat, and there are several small villages and seasonal encampments in the vicinity. Sparsely vegetated stony hillsides rise abruptly to the north. Land ownership is public.

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 box for key species. An important wintering area for Tachybaptus ruficollis (3,500), herons, egrets, Anser anser, Tadorna ferruginea, surface-feeding and diving ducks, Fulica atra and Grus grus. Several species of waterfowl breed in small numbers, and many Ciconia ciconia nest in the general area, including over 20 pairs on telegraph poles in Izeh town. Mid-winter waterfowl counts in the 1970s seldom exceeded 5,000, but numbers have been much higher in recent years. The numbers of Grus grus appear to have remained stable since the 1970s. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | rangeland/pastureland

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Grassland	20
Artificial - Terrestrial	41
Wetlands(Inland)	39

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is no legal protection. The emergent marsh vegetation is heavily grazed, but no other threats are known.

Additional information