Geno (8159)
Iran, Islamic Republic of, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Geno
Central coordinates: Latitude: 27.4167, Longitude: 56.1833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 150 to 2372
Area of KBA (km2): 429.84506
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Geno Protected Area encompasses Kuh-i Geno (2,372 m), an isolated mountain on the coastal plain of the Persian Gulf c.25 km north-north-west of Bandar Abbas. A road winds up the south side of the mountain to a radio and weather station at the rocky summit. Principal habitats are: stony outwash plains with little vegetation (e.g. Acacia flava) except in gullies (150-500 m); rugged boulder-strewn slopes with patches of open Amygdalus and Pistacia woodland (500-2,000 m); and cliffs, crags and summit ridges with mixed Juniperus, Amygdalus and Pistacia woodland and a ground cover of Artemisia shrubs (above c.2,000 m). On the lower slopes there are Populus groves, orchards and irrigated fields around settlements by perennial springs.
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 the arid mountains of south-east Iran, with a number of Indo-Malayan species. Other notable breeding species are Francolinus pondicerianus, Hirundo obsoleta, Anthus similis, Sylvia hortensis, Turdoides caudatus, Lanius isabellinus and L. vittatus. Phoenicurus erythronotus is a common winter visitor. 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 27,500 ha to 44,598 ha, so as to match the increased size of Geno Protected Area (according to WDPA 2009).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research (100%) | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Desert | 80 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The entire mountain (81,230 ha) was established as Geno National Park in 1972. A large portion was excised in the 1980s, and the remaining 27,500 ha downgraded to Protected Area. Some 49,000 ha of the original National Park were designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1976. There is no information on any threats.
Additional information
References: Argyle (1977b).