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Site description (2014 baseline):
Site location and context
This is a mountainous area with a narrow, winding gorge at its southern end (Gali Zanta); a broad upper valley in the center holding several villages; and above this the Garbeesh Area at the northern edge of the site. The higher ridge of Pires Mountain runs roughly northwest to southeast.
Additional Important Bird Observations: During the surveys, 65 species were recorded. The site also held three Irano-Turanian, three Mediterranean and one Eurasian Steppe and Desert biome-restricted breeding species but these did not trigger inclusion under criterion A3. Eastern Cinereous Bunting Emberiza semenowi and European Roller Coracias garrulus, both Near Threatened species, were recorded during the breeding season.
Other Important fauna: No data were collected except for fish, except in the year 2008 for the stream flowing in Gali Zanta only, when three significant species were observed: Alburnus mossulensis, Carassius auratus and Silurus triostegus.
Additional Plant & Habitat Information: This site contains a good population of Crataegus azarolus Pistacia eurycarpa, and P. khinjuk, which are economically and culturally important.
The main habitat types were mountain forest vegetation (primarily oak forests) and mountain riverine forest. The site is located in the Zagros range, where the geology is limestone and marls, and the soil type is sandy clay. Several streams drain the area towards Gali Zanta and it is covered in deciduous oak forest but about 50% of the area is non-vegetated. Picnickers frequently use the areas near the streams. There are also some orchards and vineyards. Two sub-sites were surveyed in this area.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Grazing and agriculture affect the area, as do human intrusion (picnicking) and pollution. Picnickers leave trash and unsightly toilet facilities were located in the stream bed at Gali Zanta. Water pollution caused by the common practice of washing cars in any stream that can be accessed is also a high threat, especially at Garbeesh and as was natural system modification (creating canals for irrigating farmlands). Urban and commercial development (shops for picnickers), gravel mining (in the streams in Gali Zanta), and hunting were all considered medium threats.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Gali Zanta and Garbeesh (Iraq). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/gali-zanta-and-garbeesh-iba-iraq on 23/11/2024.
