• Summary
• Text account
• Data table and detailed info
• Map
• Reference and further resources

Site description (1994 baseline)
The Geno Protected Area encompasses Kuh-i Geno (2,372 m), an isolated mountain on the coastal plain of the Persian Gulf c.25 km north-north-west of Bandar Abbas. A road winds up the south side of the mountain to a radio and weather station at the rocky summit. Principal habitats are: stony outwash plains with little vegetation (e.g. Acacia flava) except in gullies (150-500 m); rugged boulder-strewn slopes with patches of open Amygdalus and Pistacia woodland (500-2,000 m); and cliffs, crags and summit ridges with mixed Juniperus, Amygdalus and Pistacia woodland and a ground cover of Artemisia shrubs (above c.2,000 m). On the lower slopes there are Populus groves, orchards and irrigated fields around settlements by perennial springs.

Key biodiversity
See box for key species. The avifauna is typical of the arid mountains of south-east Iran, with a number of Indo-Malayan species. Other notable breeding species are Francolinus pondicerianus, Hirundo obsoleta, Anthus similis, Sylvia hortensis, Turdoides caudatus, Lanius isabellinus and L. vittatus. Phoenicurus erythronotus is a common winter visitor. At least 42 species have been recorded in the reserve.

Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Capra hircus aegagrus (rare) and Ovis ammon (rare).

Acknowledgements
Data-sheet compiled by Dr D. A. Scott, reviewed by Dept of Environment.

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Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Geno (Iran, Islamic Republic of). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/geno-iba-iran-islamic-republic-of on 23/11/2024.