Data Zone
Country/territory: Iraq
IBA criteria met: A1, A3 (2014)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 8,110 hectares (81.10 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2014 | not assessed | very high | very low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2014 baseline)
De Lezha is a northwest extension of the Qara Dagh ridge and could be effectively considered as a part of the Qara Dagh KBA (IQ039)
The site is located in the Zagros mountain range, where the geology is limestone and soil type is sandy clay.
Key biodiversity
Additional Important Bird Observations: During the survey period, a total of 79 species were seen. In addition to those in the table above, European Roller Coracias garrulus (breeding) and Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata (migrant), both Near Threatened, were observed, but at sub IBA-threshold numbers. Four Mediterranean and two Sahara-Sindian Desert biome-restricted species were found breeding.
Other Important Fauna: Not enough data were collected under the rapid assessment. Only one Indian Grey Mongoose Herpestes edwardsii was observed. The stream supports fish but no surveys were conducted.
Additional Plant & Habitat Information: This site contains a good population of Morus alba, Morus nigra, Pistacia eurycarpa and P. khinjuk, which are economically and culturally important.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: De Lezha (Iraq). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/de-lezha-iba-iraq on 23/12/2024.