FISHKHABOOR (IQ001) Fishkhaboor (IQ001) Dohuk – 37.111944°N 42.38333°E Area: 4179 ha - Altitude: 329-410 m Ecoregion: Eastern Mediterranean IBA Criteria: A4ii Conifer-Sclerophyllous-Broadleaf IPA Criteria: A4, B1 and C Forest (PA1207) Status: Unprotected Site Description: This site consists of foothills and lowlands does not clearly show the key features associated with this including a narrow riparian strip along the Tigris and ecoregion. The main habitat here is Riverine Forest of the Plains. Fishkhaboor (Khabour) Rivers. A pontoon bridge and a bridge The site is located in the moist steppe zone, and the geology is cross the river approximately 6.3 km downstream of the point sandstone, clay, and sandy gravels and the soil type is sandy where the Tigris River enters Iraq, which allows access to the clay. There are extensive gravel mining operations throughout Syrian border. This is the only KBA site that falls within the the area on the Tigris and Fishkhaboor Rivers. Two sub-sites Iraqi portion of the Eastern Mediterranean Ecoregion (PA1207) were visited in this area. as defined by the World Wildlife Fund, however Fishkhaboor ©2010 K ARARAT/NI Important Bird Area Criteria Observations made 2008-2010. A4ii. 1% or more of global population of a congregatory seabird or Wintering/Passage Breeding terrestrial species 1400 (count 2008) Dead Sea Sparrow Passer moabiticus (Resident/summer visitor) (1.5% of regional population) Important Plant Area Criteria A4. Site contains national endemic, near endemic, regional endemic and/or regional range-restricted species or infraspecific taxa One nationally rare species (Typha lugdunensis) was found in this site. B1. Site is a particularly species-rich example of defined habitat type Riverine Forest of the Plains (Al-Ahrash) habitat type. C. The site is identified as an outstanding example of a globally or regionally threatened habitat type. This site represents a good example of the habitat type: Riverine Forest of the Plain (Al-Ahrash) habitat type, which extends throughout the country along the Tigris-Euphrates River Basins and their tributaries. Tigris-Euphrates riparian woodland is globally unique and threatened by developments and human activities along these rivers and habitats. The threats include gravel mining, cutting woodlands for different uses, and the residential and agricultural development along the rivers. Additional Important Bird Observations: During the mammals seen at the site include Grey Wolf Canis lupus, and survey a total of 36 species were recorded. The site held breeding Golden Jackal Canis aureus. Eurasian Otter Lutra lutra (Near populations of one Mediterranean, two Irano-Turanian and Threatened) tracks were found along the river. one Sahara-Sindian biome-restricted species but these did not trigger inclusion under criterion A3. Fish: Alburnus mossulensis, Cyprinion kais, C. macrostomum, Garra rufa, and Liza abu were recorded in 2008. Other Important Fauna: Mammal data were collected in summer 2010. According to local interviews, the significant 1 Key Biodiversity Areas of Iraq Additional Plant & Habitat Information: Two species, hunting in the area and minefields are found along the Iraqi- Centaurea pseudosinaica and Brassica kaber, were recorded in Turkish border in areas near Tuwan such as Cheae Bekher and Iraq for the first time at this site. Ware Smaili. Sewage from the city of Zakho and other villages upstream also impact both rivers. Conservation Issues: Gravel mining along both the Fishkhaboor and Tigris Rivers has caused damage to in-stream Recommendations: This site adjoins a Turkish IBA site (Cizre ve habitats and riparian areas and transportation, especially road Silopi, TK180) and, with additional cooperation and coordination building in areas where most gravel mining occurs is a very high from Syria, represents a unique opportunity to develop a tri- threat. This site is likely to be highly impacted by major dam nation “Peace Park” that could protect the biodiversity here for all construction on-going in Turkey as well. Border police reported three countries. A proper land use management scheme should be developed that addresses the many threats, with gravel mining and road contruction being primary issues. As this is a sensitive border area for all three countries, significant cooperation and coordination is required for any future survey and conservation work. Benavi & Sararu (IQ002) Dohuk – 37.264173°N 43.405827°E Area: 1809 ha - Altitude: 1250-1950 m Ecoregion: Zagros Mountains Forest IBA Criteria: A3 Steppe (PA0446) IPA Criteria: A4 and B1 Status: Unprotected Site Description: Two survey areas, Benavi and Sararu, are and some agriculture, which includes field crops and some walnut included in this area. Benavi includes a valley containing the Juglans regia orchards, which are scattered around the valley. village of Benavi and the adjacent mountain ridge and there is a small stream near the site. Evans (1994) originally listed Benavi as Sararu is located in the northern part of the delineated area and an Important Bird Area (IBA001). The main habitat types here are has similar habitats, geology and soil types. The highest peak in the mountain forest vegetation (primarily oak forests) and mountain Sararu area stands about 1950 m and there is also a valley containing riverine forest. The slopes are rocky with interspersed grasses and a large number of orchards (walnut, cherry and pomegranate) rich herb flora. The site is located in the Zagros Range, where the and vineyards. It is a popular area for visitors and regional tourists. geology is of sandstone, clay and sandy gravels, and the soil type The villages of Ure, Bedohe and Maye are nearby, just outside the is sandy clay. The local economy depends mainly on sheep grazing delineation area. 2 BENAVI & SARARU (IQ002) Important Bird Area Criteria Observations made 2007-2009. A3. Biome-restricted species Mediterranean biome Breeding Wintering/ Passage Masked Shrike Lanius nubicus (Summer visitor) 10 pairs (2008-2009) Sombre Tit Poecile lugubris (Resident) 50 pairs (2008-2009) Western Rock Nuthatch Sitta neumayer (Resident) 20 pairs (2008) Eastern Black-eared Wheatear Oenanthe melanoleuca (Summer visitor) 25 pairs (2008-2009) Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala (Summer visitor) 40 pairs (2008) Important Plant Area Criteria A4. Site contains national endemic, near endemic, regional endemic and/or regional range-restricted species or infraspecific taxa Bellevalia kurdistanica (near endemic) B1. Site is a particularly species-rich example of defined habitat type Mountain Forest-Mountain Riverine Forest habitat type and Mountain Forest Vegetation-Oak Forest- Lowest and Medium Zones habitat type ©2008 K ARARAT/NI Additional Important Bird Observations: During the resource and there are some grasses present that are important surveys 68 species were observed. The site also held breeding genetic resources, including Aegilops columnaris, A. crassa, and populations of three Irano-Turanian, and one Eurasian Steppe Pennisetum orientale. and Desert biome-restricted species. Other Important Fauna: There were local reports of a Brown Bear Ursus arctos attacking a resident who lost his arm, but this could not be verified. Persian SquirrelSciurus anomalus and the near endemic Zagrosian Lizard Timon princeps kurdistanicus were observed in this area, but brief surveys for non-avian fauna occurred only in 2008 and 2009. The area is likely rich in important species, but additional surveys are needed. A stream is present at the site but no fish observations were conducted. Additional Plant & Habitat Information: This site contains a good population of pistachio Pistacia eurycarpa, which is economically and culturally important. There is also a vineyard of Vitis vinifera, which is important as a genetic 3 Key Biodiversity Areas of Iraq Conservation Issues: There are pastures and agricultural land but the team could get little information on agricultural practices at the site, though the area is affected by overgrazing. Because this area is near the border with Turkey, it is an area of high military activity and instability. Locals indicated that there were uncleared minefields nearby. There was also road construction in the area and some hunting does occur here. Recommendations: Mine clearance should be a priority, but ultimately the risks caused by the poor security situation along the border will require political solutions at government and regional levels. Grazing should be examined more closely. Road construction should be limited where possible. Dure (IQ003) Dohuk – 37.225556°N 43.509444°E Area: 2310 ha - Altitude: 755-1890 m Ecoregion: Zagros Mountains Forest KBA Criteria: V Steppe (PA0446) IPA Criteria: A4, B1, and C Status: Unprotected ©2010 K ARARAT/NI Site Description: This site is an open area of valleys, springs, Juniperus and Pinus trees dominate the woodlands and the agricultural fields and woodland in the Zagros Range. The Sari slopes are rocky, with grasses and isolated Quercus scrub. The Darishk, Sari Zer and Shirani Mountains form a chain close to geology is siltstone and limestone, and the soil type is sandy the site. It was called Dori Serguza (IBA002) by Evans (1994), clay. The villages of Sarizer, Duskan and Barbuire and a church, who provided incorrect coordinates for its location. The main which is a potentially important cultural and religious heritage habitat types surveyed here were mountain forest vegetation site, are located near Sari Zer. (primarily oak forests) and mountain