Gandoman marsh (8129)
Iran, Islamic Republic of, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Gandoman marsh
Central coordinates: Latitude: 31.8333, Longitude: 51.1000
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2250 to 2250
Area of KBA (km2): 12.30579
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A largely seasonal freshwater marsh on a vast grassy plain at 2,250 m in the central Zagros Mountains, c.25 km south-west of Borujen and 75 km west-south-west of Shahreza. The wetland, dominated by sedges, floods in winter and spring, but by late summer is almost completely dry. There is some rice cultivation along the central main stream and some wheat on the surrounding grassy plains. Land ownership is public and private.
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. An important wintering area for Casmerodius albus, Ardea cinerea, Tadorna ferruginea, Anas platyrhynchos (up to 5,000) and Aythya nyroca. Haliaeetus albicilla and Aquila clanga have occurred in winter. Breeding species include Ciconia ciconia (summer visitor locally) and Buteo rufinus. Ciconia nigra occurs (status unknown) and Buteo buteo is a passage migrant. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 45 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Grassland | 45 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is no information on threats. The site has been proposed for Protected Area status, and has been recommended for designation as a Ramsar Site.
Additional information
References: Scott (1976a,c).