Data Zone
Country/territory: Iraq
IBA criteria met: A3 (2014)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 4,463 ha
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2014 | not assessed | very high | negligible |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2014 baseline)
This site consists of a valley surrounded by foothills and highlands within the Zagros Range. Many springs are present and the habitats here are mountain forest vegetation with riverine forest and oak woodland vegetation. Vineyards cover most of the mountainsides and hills between Biyara and Awesar and the common cultivated species is Vitis vinifera. There are also a large number of aged walnut, mulberry, and fig trees as well as stands of poplars. The geology is basic igneous rocks, radiolarian chert, siliceous and calcareous shale, and metamorphic schist and limestone of unknown age, and the soil type is sandy clay.
Key biodiversity
Additional Important Bird Observations: During the survey 67 species were seen. The following were also breeding at the site but in sub-IBA threshold numbers: European Roller Coracias garrulus and Eastern Cinereous Bunting Emberiza semenowi (both Near Threatened); in addition the site held breeding populations of four Irano-Turanian biome-restricted species, but these did not trigger inclusion under criteron A3.
Other Important Fauna: Mammal data were collected in 2007 and 2010 only. According to local reports, Wild Goats Capra aegagrus (Vulnerable) are present in the mountains in the border area. Residents state that the globally Near Threatened Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra is likely present. Grey Wolves Canis lupus were also reported. The Near Eastern fire salamander Salamandra infraimmaculata (Near Threatened) was also observed. No fish surveys were carried out because of the small size of the streams.
Additional Plant & Habitat Information: This site contains pistachio Pistacia eurycarpa as well as Diosphyros kaki, Morus alba, and M. nigra, which are economically and culturally important. Riverine Forest habitat is commonly found alongside mountain valleys in Hawraman, especially between Biyara and Tawela and are dominated by Juglans regia.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Hawraman Area (Iraq). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/hawraman-area-iba-iraq on 22/11/2024.