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close| Location | Syria, Al Hasakah |
| Central coordinates | 40o 22.00' East 36o 25.00' North |
| IBA criteria | B2 |
| Area | 45,000 ha |
| Altitude | 600 - 920m |
| Year of IBA assessment | 2001 |
Ornithological information See box for key species. As well as species listed below, Pterocles alchata is a common resident.
Site description A mountain range (up to 920 m) lying west of Al-Hasakah and running for c.50 km east–west. The southern slopes are gentle, but the northern slopes are a very steep, linear scarp with frequent cliffs. Numerous small wadis drain the slopes. The steppe vegetation includes Pistacia, Prunus and Rhamnus scrub, with extensive shrubs of Artemisia, Atriplex, Helianthemum and Teucrium. There is an extensive and ongoing afforestation project, planting Pistacia, Pinus brutia and P. halepensis
Populations of IBA trigger species
| Species | Season | Period | Population estimate | Quality of estimate | IBA Criteria | IUCN Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Francolin Francolinus francolinus | resident | 1993 | common [units unknown] | - | B2 | Least Concern |
| Egyptian Vulture Neophron percnopterus | breeding | 1993 | 15 breeding pairs | poor | B2 | Endangered |
| Griffon Vulture Gyps fulvus | breeding | 1993 | 4 breeding pairs | poor | B2 | Least Concern |
| Cinereous Vulture Aegypius monachus | winter | 1993 | unknown [units unknown] | - | B2 | Near Threatened |
Habitats
| IUCN habitat | Habitat detail | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | major | |
| Shrubland | minor | |
| Rocky areas | minor | |
| Artificial landscapes (terrestrial) | minor |
Land use
| Land-use | Extent (% of site) |
|---|---|
| forestry | minor |
| rangeland/pastureland | major |
Other biodiversity Mammals: Canis lupus (V), Gazella subgutturosa (rare); Equus hemionus hemippus (V) survived in this area until the 1930s. Flora: many endemics are confined to the isolated mountains in the Syrian Desert.
Management considerations As a preliminary to a program for preventing soil erosion, a decree has been issued prohibiting the grazing and agricultural development by which the area is threatened, and there is an afforestation scheme underway (see above). However, illegal cutting of trees and other vegetation still occurs despite the efforts of the authorities. There is overgrazing by livestock and feral donkeys, and a threat from conversion of land to cereal cultivation and consequent wind-erosion. Hunting of Alectoris chukar and Gazella is prohibited.
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Recommended citation BirdLife International (2013) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Jabal Abdul Aziz. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 23/05/2013
To provide new information to update this factsheet or to correct any errors, please email BirdLife
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