Kuh-i Taftan (8148)
Iran, Islamic Republic of, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Kuh-i Taftan
Central coordinates: Latitude: 28.6000, Longitude: 61.1333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 900 to 4042
Area of KBA (km2): 1829.62456
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Kuh-i Taftan massif, a dormant volcano, is the highest mountain range in northern Baluchistan, situated near the Pakistan border, c.100 km south-south-east of Zahedan. The site extends from the deeply dissected stony outwash plains, at c.900 m in the east and 1,800 m in the west, to the summit at over 4,042 m. The dominant plant community at all altitudes is a steppic vegetation with Artemisia averaging c.30 cm high. Other associations, such as those formed by the thorny cushions of Astragalus or by a species of Umbelliferae, occur locally. No grassy areas exist except for a small patch near the top of the east slope. A belt of very open woodland with Pistacia and Amygdalus trees occurs at elevations varying from c.2,200 m on the eastern slope to 2,600 m on the west. Here the Artemisia association is mixed with taller species, sometimes reaching 1 m high. There are a few scattered Juniperus trees on the upper slopes. Snow fields near the summit linger well into summer and feed a number of perennial mountain streams which support small areas of irrigated agriculture and Populus groves in the valleys below c.2,000 m. There is some grazing by sheep and goats on the lower slopes. The Zahedan-Chahbahar road passes over the western flank of the mountain.
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 avifauna is typical of the high mountain ranges and Pistacia-Amygdalus woodland of south-east Iran. Other notable breeding species include Anthus similis, Hippolais rama, S. hortensis, Lanius isabellinus, L. vittatus, Petronia xanthocollis, Serinus pusillus and Emberiza buchanani. Phylloscopus inornatus humei is a fairly common passage migrant and/or winter visitor. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Grassland | 80 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is no legal protection and no threats are known.
Additional information
References: Desfayes and Praz (1978).