Country/territory: Iran, Islamic Republic of
IBA criteria met: A3, B3 (1994)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 35,000 ha
Site description (1994 baseline)
A region of forested valleys and hillsides with rocky peaks rising to 2,500 m near the south-east extremity of the Zagros Mountains. The site lies south of the village of Deh Bakhri, c.45 km west-south-west of Bam, but its boundaries have yet to be determined. Between c.2,000 and 2,400 m, there is an extensive zone of excellent Pistacia-Amygdalus woodland, some of the finest in south-east Iran, with a canopy approaching 80% cover in places; conspicuous shrubs and trees include Pistacia mutica, P. kinjuk, Acer cinerescens, Amygdalus scirparia and A. reuteri. Elsewhere, the dominant plant community is a steppic vegetation with Artemisia averaging c.30 cm high. Oleander Nerium grows widely in stream beds and along irrigation channels, and there are a few very big Juniperus on the higher rocky slopes. Small patches of irrigated cultivation in the valleys comprise vegetable gardens, orchards, wheat fields and Populus groves. There is grazing by sheep and goats.
Key biodiversity
See box for key species. The area supports a breeding avifauna typical of the montane woodlands of south-east Iran, with a few montane species at higher elevations. Other notable breeding species include Hieraaetus fasciatus, Anthus similis, Sylvia hortensis, Parus lugubris, Lanius isabellinus, Petronia xanthocollis, Serinus pusillus and Emberiza buchanani. Phylloscopus trochiloides nitidus has been recorded on spring passage.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Acknowledgements
Data-sheet compiled by Dr D. A. Scott, reviewed by Dept of Environment.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Deh Bakhri area (Iran, Islamic Republic of). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/deh-bakhri-area-iba-iran-islamic-republic-of on 03/12/2024.