Hormod Protected Area (8141)
Iran, Islamic Republic of, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Hormod Protected Area
Central coordinates: Latitude: 27.6667, Longitude: 54.8333
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 1630
Area of KBA (km2): 2029.0103
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Hormod Protected Area encompasses a region of semi-desertic plains and volcanic hills (peaking at 1,630 m) in the south-east Zagros mountains 50-100 km east of Lar. The reserve is bounded to the north by the Rud-i Shur river and in the south-west by the Lar to Bandar Abbas road. Habitats include: dissected stony outwash plains with scattered trees and bushes of Ziziphus, Berberus, Euphorbia and Acacia, and patches of grass Poa in the gullies; sandy areas with Zygophyllum steppe; small springs with Phoenix and Tamarix scrub; barren, rocky volcanic hills; and the rocky river bed of the Rud-i Shur, with little surface flow but many deep pools. There is some livestock grazing, also a small area of wheat cultivation on a plain in the centre of the reserve. The village of Hormod lies at the southern extremity of the reserve.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: See box for key species. The avifauna is typical of Iran's southern deserts and barren hill ranges. Breeding species not listed below include Pterocles coronatus, Ammomanes cincturus and Hirundo obsoleta. Chlamydotis undulata is regular in winter. The Rud-i Shur valley is an important wintering area for Ciconia nigra, with up to 15 recorded on this stretch in January. At least 42 species have been recorded in the reserve. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Capra hircus aegagrus (rare) and Ovis ammon (rare).
Delineation rationale: 2009-11-30 (BL Secretariat): area of site has been increased from 151,284 ha to 196,191 ha, so as to match the increased size of Hormod Protected Area (according to WDPA 2009).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research (100%) | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Desert | 85 | |
| Grassland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The entire area was designated a Protected Area in 1976. No threats are known.