Data Zone
Country/territory: Iraq
IBA criteria met: A3 (2014)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 20,017 ha
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2014 | not assessed | very high | negligible |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2014 baseline)
This is a mountainous area and the habitat is mountain forest vegetation with oak forest and mountain riverine forest, found around the streams formed by snow melt from the top of the mountain. The site is located in the Zagros range, where the geology consists of basic igneous rocks, radiolarian chert, siliceous and calcareous shale, and metamorphic schist and limestone of unknown age, and the soil type is sandy clay.
Key biodiversity
Additional Important Bird Observations: During the surveys, 37 bird species were observed. In addition to those in the table above four Mediterranean and one Eurasian High-Montane biome-restriced species were recorded but at levels that did not trigger inclusion under A3 criterion. The European Roller Coracias garrulus and Eastern Cinereous Bunting Emberiza semenowi (the latter mentioned in the table above) are Near Threatened.
Other Important Fauna: According to local reports Wild Goat Capra aegagrus (Vulnerable) is present in small numbers on the mountain and appears to have decreased in number as a result of extensive hunting. During the interview survey, locals reported that Grey Wolf Canis lupus attacks their herds every year, and also reported a sighting of a Brown Bear Ursus arctos in 2009. No fish surveys were undertaken but electro-fishing was observed during a trip on the river in 2011 and fish stocks in the river were reported as good.
Additional Plant & Habitat Information: This site contains a good population of Pistacia eurycarpa, P. khinjuk, Rheum ribes, Morus alba, Morus nigra, and Crataegus azarolus, which are important both economically and for local heritage.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Assos Mountain (Iraq). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/assos-mountain-iba-iraq on 22/11/2024.