Hamoun-i Gabi (8147)
Iran, Islamic Republic of, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Hamoun-i Gabi
Central coordinates: Latitude: 28.1167, Longitude: 60.8333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1500 to 1500
Area of KBA (km2): 429.86342
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large inland drainage basin at c.1,500 m with a central area of bare saltflats surrounded by a very gently sloping sandy plain. The saltflats are flooded at irregular intervals, following exceptionally heavy rains. The small town of Khash lies 30 km north-east of the basin, and the main Zahedan–Chahbahar road passes along its eastern edge. Almost the entire area, except for the central salt waste, consists of a sandy plain with excellent desertic steppe vegetation dominated by Zygophyllum and a species of Umbelliferae. There is a narrow belt of stunted Tamarix around the edge of the saltflats. Because of its remoteness from any reliable fresh water, the area is not utilized to any great extent by domestic livestock, and the vegetation remains in excellent condition, with Zygophyllum bushes over 1.5 m high.
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 site supports the typical avifauna of Iran's central and eastern deserts, and is one of the country’s best localities for Podoces pleskei. Other notable breeding species are Ammomanes cincturus, Oenanthe deserti and Carpospiza brachydactyla. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Habitats
Land use: rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is no legal protection and no threats are known.