Deh Bakhri area (8144)
Iran, Islamic Republic of, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Deh Bakhri area
Central coordinates: Latitude: 28.9500, Longitude: 57.9167
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 2500 to 2500
Area of KBA (km2): 353.61136
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A region of forested valleys and hillsides with rocky peaks rising to 2,500 m near the south-east extremity of the Zagros Mountains. The site lies south of the village of Deh Bakhri, c.45 km west-south-west of Bam, but its boundaries have yet to be determined. Between c.2,000 and 2,400 m, there is an extensive zone of excellent Pistacia-Amygdalus woodland, some of the finest in south-east Iran, with a canopy approaching 80% cover in places; conspicuous shrubs and trees include Pistacia mutica, P. kinjuk, Acer cinerescens, Amygdalus scirparia and A. reuteri. Elsewhere, the dominant plant community is a steppic vegetation with Artemisia averaging c.30 cm high. Oleander Nerium grows widely in stream beds and along irrigation channels, and there are a few very big Juniperus on the higher rocky slopes. Small patches of irrigated cultivation in the valleys comprise vegetable gardens, orchards, wheat fields and Populus groves. There is grazing by sheep and goats.
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 area supports a breeding avifauna typical of the montane woodlands of south-east Iran, with a few montane species at higher elevations. Other notable breeding species include Hieraaetus fasciatus, Anthus similis, Sylvia hortensis, Parus lugubris, Lanius isabellinus, Petronia xanthocollis, Serinus pusillus and Emberiza buchanani. Phylloscopus trochiloides nitidus has been recorded on spring passage. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Delineation rationale: 2010-02-03 (BL Secretariat): site area was not defined in the original IBA publication/inventory; here, it has been derived by GIS from the draft polygon.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Forest | 43 | |
| Grassland | 43 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is no legal protection. At lower elevations, the forest understorey has been badly overgrazed.
Additional information
References: Desfayes and Praz (1978).