AZ029
Barda tugai forest


Site description (2000 baseline):

Site location and context
The site encompasses tugai forest (mainly Populus and Salix), along the meandering Kura river. This is one of the two last big areas of this habitat in Azerbaijan. The main land-uses are forestry and agriculture (including grazing).



Key biodiversity
Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Haliaeetus albicilla (formerly bred; 3-5 birds winter), Aquila heliaca (probably breeds) and Crex crex (uncommon on passage). Significant proportion (³1%) of national population breeding at site: Ciconia nigra (2+ pairs). Coracias garrulus (50+ pairs) and both Dendrocopos syriacus and D. medius are common.



Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The main threats are illegal tree-felling (`Other' threat), firewood-collection, grazing and poaching. The area is under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Forestry. The area is partly an unprotected game reserve. A nature reserve was planned.



Protected areas
National None International None




Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Barda tugai forest (Azerbaijan). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/barda-tugai-forest-iba-azerbaijan on 22/11/2024.