SY024
Golan Heights


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 1994 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species'):
Species Current IUCN Red List Category Season Year(s) Population estimate at site IBA criteria met
Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris NT resident 1991 2-5 breeding pairs B2
Common Crane Grus grus LC winter 1991 2,000-3,000 individuals A4i
White Stork Ciconia ciconia LC passage 1991 20,000 individuals A4i
Sociable Lapwing Vanellus gregarius CR winter 1991 5-10 individuals A1, A4i
A4iv Species group - soaring birds/cranes n/a passage 1991 20,000 individuals A4iv, B1iv

The current IUCN Red List category may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (1994).


IBA Conservation

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2014 not assessed medium negligible
Was the whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes unset unknown

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat level 1 Threat level 2 Timing Scope Severity Result
Agricultural expansion and intensification annual & perennial non-timber crops - small-holder farming likely in short term (within 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium
Human intrusions and disturbance war, civil unrest and military exercises likely in short term (within 4 years) some of area/population (10-49%) slow but significant deterioration medium

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected-area designation Management planning Other conservation action Result
Little/none of site covered (<10%) No management planning has taken place Very little or no conservation action taking place negligible
For more information about IBA conservation status, please click here

Habitats

Habitat (IUCN level 1) Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Artificial/Terrestrial -
Grassland -
Rocky areas (eg. inland cliffs, mountain peaks) -
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine -
Wetlands (inland) -
For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
agriculture -
rangeland/pastureland -
military -
nature conservation and research -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Golan Heights. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/golan-heights-iba-syria on 08/12/2023.