Key Biodiversity Areas

Rud-i-Jagin and Rud-i-Gabrik deltas (8164)
Iran, Islamic Republic of, Middle East

Site overview


KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Rud-i-Jagin and Rud-i-Gabrik deltas
Central coordinates: Latitude: 25.5833, Longitude: 58.3333
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 271.5732
Protected area coverage (%): 92.85
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes

Site details


Site description: The site covers c.35 km of Arabian Sea coast 45-80 km east of Jask, comprising an extensive complex of tidal creeks, mudflats, mangrove, sandbanks and low muddy offshore islands and sandbars. The rivers flow only after erratic rainfall in the interior, usually in winter. Extensive stands of mangrove Avicennia marina occur at the river mouths and along tidal creeks. The adjacent arid plain supports a relatively dense woodland of Acacia, Prosopis and Ziziphus interspersed with bare sandflats. Stands of tall Tamarix forest line the river banks. The area is remote, with only a few tiny fishing villages nearby.
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. An important wintering area for shorebirds, gulls and terns, with smaller numbers of Pelecanus crispus, Platalea leucorodia and Phoenicopterus ruber. Ardeola grayii is probably resident in the mangrove. The sandy plains and woodland support a typical Baluchi avifauna including Francolinus pondicerianus and Dendrocopos assimilis. Accipiter badius, Streptopelia orientalis, Saxicola caprata and Sylvia nana have been recorded in autumn. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.

Habitats


Land use: fisheries/aquaculture
IUCN HabitatCoverage %Habitat detail
Marine Coastal/Supratidal45
Desert45
Forest5
Marine Neritic5

Threats


Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There is no legal protection and no threats are known.

Additional information


References: Scott (1976a).