AZ038
Gobustan area


Site description (2000 baseline):

Site location and context
Low, semi-arid mountains, including the flat summits of Beukdash, Kichikdash, Kagnizdag, Djingirdag and the dry stream of Djeirankechmez. Some trees and bushes on the eastern slopes (wild Pyrus, Ficus, Punica, etc.). Quarrying for limestone has taken place in the past.



Key biodiversity
Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Falco naumanni (non-breeding; rare summer visitor). Breeding species include Buteo rufinus, Alectoris chukar (rare), Cercotrichas galactotes, Oenanthe pleschanka, Oenanthe finschii, Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax, Petronia petronia and Emberiza melanocephala.



Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Threats come from sheep- and cattle-grazing, and disturbance from tourists and low-flying military aircraft. The central and southern part of the IBA is covered wholly, and the northern section partly, by the Gobustan Nature Monument. The area is a Nature Monument (virtually unprotected), established to safeguard archaeological artifacts.



Protected areas
National Partial International NoneIBA partly covered by Nature Monument (Gobustan Nature Monument, 4,400 ha).




Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Gobustan area (Azerbaijan). Downloaded from https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/gobustan-area-iba-azerbaijan on 22/12/2024.