Current view: Text account
Site description (1994 baseline):
Site location and context
The Dasht-e Naz Wildlife Refuge, c.25 km north-north-east of Sari on the coastal plain of the South Caspian, protects an 'island' of dense scrub-forest of
Quercus (dominant),
Alnus,
Parrotia and
Crataegus, with an intermingling of large trees and surrounded by cultivation. This is the last remnant of native lowland forest on the plains of Mazandaran. Land ownership is public.
See box for key species. The resident forest bird fauna is impoverished, because of the small size and isolation of the reserve, but a number of woodland species occur in large numbers on passage, including some raptors and
Phylloscopus trochiloides nitidus (up to 50 in autumn). Large concentrations of
Columba oenas (several thousands) and
C. palumbus occur in winter, along with high densities of
Scolopax rusticola.
Haliaeetus albicilla is regular in winter and
Phasianus colchicus is present. At least 92 species have been recorded in the reserve.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The area was originally set aside as a private reserve. The Department of the Environment gained control of the area in 1964, and immediately introduced wild-caught
Dama mesopotamica from the dwindling native population in the riparian forests along the Karkheh river in Khuzestan. The entire refuge is fenced with deer-proof fencing, and is intensively managed as a captive-breeding facility;
Axis axis were also introduced into the reserve in 1966. There has been some replanting of native species to improve forage for the deer.
Data-sheet compiled by Dr D. A. Scott, reviewed by Dept of Environment.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Dasht-e Naz Wildlife Refuge (Iran, Islamic Republic of). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/dasht-e-naz-wildlife-refuge-iba-iran-islamic-republic-of on 25/12/2024.
