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Site description (2014 baseline):
Site location and context
The site is located in Zagros Range and the geology is of basic igneous rocks, radiolarian chert, siliceous and calcareous shale, and metamorphic schist and limestone of unknown age.
During the survey, 24 species were recorded. In addition to those listed in the table the site held two breeding Mediterranan and one Sahara-Sindian Desert biome-restricted species. The European Roller Coracias garrulus and Eastern Cinereous Bunting Emberiza semenowi were observed in the breeding season and both are Near Threatened. No other observations were obtained on non-avian fauna and there were no major streams or rivers to conduct a fish survey.
This is a mountainous/subalpine area northeast of the town of Soran and was, according to the Flora of Iraq, a rich site for endemic and rare plant species in the country. The presence of minefields made botanical survey of the area difficult and thus only the thorn cushion vegetation area was examined.
There is a small area of vineyards in the low forest mountain zone. There is picnicking in small areas near the subalpine zone and an old road leads to the top of the mountain. In addition to minefields there are traces of an abandoned airbase. The foothills suffer from overgrazing.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Agricultural practices, over-grazing and human activities specifically picnickers and the garbage they leave behind have a high impact on the site. There is a serious threat from mines, which cover the area, which seriously hinder any conservation activities or ecological studies. Hunting was considered a moderate threat at the site.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Sari Hassan Bag (Iraq). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/sari-hassan-bag-iba-iraq on 23/12/2024.
