Data Zone
Country/territory: Iraq
IBA criteria met: A1, A3 (2014)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 16,738 hectares (167.38 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2014 | not assessed | very high | very low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2014 baseline)
This is the highest peak in Sulaimani Governorate, reaching 2613 m. The preliminary delineated area includes the mountain ridge and most of the Mergapan valley to the northeast, encompassing the valleys near the villages of Homer Qawm and Shadala and a small gorge between the villages of Shadala and Kani Shuk. Peramagroon valley (which includes the small village of Zewe) lies within a wide bowl on its southeastern side below the highest peak on the mountain. Major settlements around the mountain include the town of Peramagroon and the villages of Kani Shuk, Sardasht, and Shadala.
An area above Zewe, from which a seasonal spring issues, is a popular picnicking site as are many areas along Chami Mergapan stream and the springs above Kani Shuk. This stream runs to the northwest through the Mergapan valley and bisects Peramagroon at its northern extent in a dramatic gorge; it becomes the Tabin stream that flows through the Chami Razan KBA site and eventually joins the Lesser Zab river.
Key biodiversity
Additional Important Bird Observations: During the surveys 131 species were observed. In addition to those listed in the table, the Endangered Saker Falcon Falco cherrug was observed in the winter of 2012. Also the following Near Threatened species were recorded but in sub IBA-threshold numbers: European Roller Coracias garrulus (breeding) and Semi-collared Flycatcher Ficedula semitorquata (passage); the site also held breeding populations of two Sahara-Sindian biome-restricted species but this did not trigger inclusion under criterion A3. Eastern Cinereous Bunting Emberiza semenowi listed in the table above is Near Threatened.
Other Important Fauna: Mammal surveys conducted in 2009 and 2010 found considerable number of Persian Squirrels Sciurus anomalus. This is a Least Concern species, but their population trend is decreasing and a Nature Iraq interview survey in 2010 found that a large number were hunted at this site and transported to other parts of the country for sale as pets. A summer and winter survey in 2011 documented the presense of Wild Goats on Peramagroon. According to local reports, Persian Leopards Panthera pardus saxicolor (Endangered) occurred historically but are thought to no longer be present. One significant reptiles observation was the Urmia Rock Lizard Apathya cappadocia urmiana.
Fish: Fish exist in Chami Mergapan but have not been assessed. Portions of this stream currently go dry in summer and historical information would be needed to determine if this has always been the case or if development in the area has led to decreased water resources overall.
Additional Plant & Habitat Information: Peramagroon contains a good population of pistachios, Pistacia eurycarpa and P. khinjuk, which are economically and culturally important. Gundelia tournefortii and Rumex ribes, which are economically important as a traditional food, are found at the site as well as a good population of Aegilops crassa, and A. umbellulata, Bromus diandrus, Hordeum bulbosum, Poa bulbosa, and Vitis vinifera, which are important as genetic resources.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Peramagroon Mountain (Iraq). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/peramagroon-mountain-iba-iraq on 27/12/2024.