Current view: Text account
Site description (1994 baseline):
Site location and context
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.
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).
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The entire area was designated a Protected Area in 1976. No threats are known.
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.
