Current view: Text account
Site description (1994 baseline):
Site location and context
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.
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.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
There is no legal protection. At lower elevations, the forest understorey has been badly overgrazed.
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 23/12/2024.
