Data Zone
Country/territory: Iran, Islamic Republic of
IBA criteria met: A1, B3 (1994)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 196,191 hectares (1,961.91 km2)
Site description (1994 baseline)
The Hormod Protected Area encompasses a region of semi-desertic plains and volcanic hills (peaking at 1,630 m) in the south-east Zagros mountains 50-100 km east of Lar. The reserve is bounded to the north by the Rud-i Shur river and in the south-west by the Lar to Bandar Abbas road. Habitats include: dissected stony outwash plains with scattered trees and bushes of Ziziphus, Berberus, Euphorbia and Acacia, and patches of grass Poa in the gullies; sandy areas with Zygophyllum steppe; small springs with Phoenix and Tamarix scrub; barren, rocky volcanic hills; and the rocky river bed of the Rud-i Shur, with little surface flow but many deep pools. There is some livestock grazing, also a small area of wheat cultivation on a plain in the centre of the reserve. The village of Hormod lies at the southern extremity of the reserve.
Key biodiversity
See box for key species. The avifauna is typical of Iran's southern deserts and barren hill ranges. Breeding species not listed below include Pterocles coronatus, Ammomanes cincturus and Hirundo obsoleta. Chlamydotis undulata is regular in winter. The Rud-i Shur valley is an important wintering area for Ciconia nigra, with up to 15 recorded on this stretch in January. 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.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Hormod Protected Area (Iran, Islamic Republic of). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/hormod-protected-area-iba-iran-islamic-republic-of on 21/12/2024.