Data Zone
Country/territory: Azerbaijan
IBA criteria met: A1, A4i, A4iii, B1i, B2, B3 (2005)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 8,000 hectares (80.00 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2008 | moderate | low | low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2005 baseline)
A shallow saline lake (depth 0.5-2.0 m) with a few small islands. Reedbeds cover large parts of the lake, especially in the central and southern parts. There are some Tamarix groves (largely flooded) along the southern shore. The lake is surrounded by saltwort Salsola semi-desert in the south and cotton fields in the north; there are also some saltmarshes. The lake is rented by the Hunters' Society of Azerbaijan and sheep graze the edges.
Key biodiversity
This is an important site for breeding waterbirds, totalling 12,000-15,000 pairs. Species of global conservation concern that do not meet IBA criteria: Oxyura leucocephala (occasional in winter). Terns and shorebirds (including Charadrius alexandrinus and Chettusia leucura) also occur. Winter waterbird numbers range from 10,000 to 40,000, or more.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Lake Mahmudchala (Azerbaijan). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/lake-mahmudchala-iba-azerbaijan on 27/12/2024.