Data Zone
Country/territory: Iran, Islamic Republic of
IBA criteria met: A1, A3, B2, B3 (1994)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 57,000 hectares (570.00 km2)
Site description (1994 baseline)
An extensive region of high mountain ridges and steep-sided valleys with spectacular limestone crags and pinnacles at the extreme north-west end of the Zagros chain, north of the small town of Nowsud and c.30 km south-south-east of Marivan. No site boundaries are yet determined. The region contains a broad spectrum of Zagros habitats: luxuriant riverine forest of Quercus, Juglans and Populus in the valley bottoms; mature Quercus forest, scrubby Quercus woodland and terraced wheat cultivation on the lower slopes; rocky hillsides with tragacanthic steppe and scattered Pistacia trees on the higher slopes; and rocky outcrops and alpine tundra at the summits, peaking at 2,984 m. Snow patches linger on the highest ridge until at least mid-July.
Key biodiversity
See box for key species. The region has a characteristic Zagros avifauna, including most species typical of the Zagros Quercus forest as well as most of the high montane species. Other notable breeding species include Dendrocopos medius, Lanius nubicus, Pyrrhocorax graculus, Montifringilla nivalis and Emberiza buchanani.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Acknowledgements
Data-sheet compiled by Dr D. A. Scott, reviewed by Dept of Environment.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Western Zagros north of Nowsud (Iran, Islamic Republic of). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/western-zagros-north-of-nowsud-iba-iran-islamic-republic-of on 22/12/2024.