Biodiversity and nature conservation importance for Europe of deltas and wetlands in Azerbaijan

Abstract

Azerbaijan Red Data Book includes 39 species of mammals (14 – in European Red List (ERL), 72 – birds (43 in ERL, from them 24 – waterbirds species), 14 – reptiles (3 in ERL), 6 – amphibians (3 in ERL), 9 fishes and 75 – insects. Some waterbirds’ species according our data (many years counts) consist 38% (Oxyura leucephala) and even 52% (Netta rufina) from total Western Palearctic Population (Flyway). 16 potentials and 2 registered Ramsar sites. Up to 1,5 mln waterbirds had wintering in Azerbaijan in 1990s - 2000s and up to 1 mln in 2010s (third country in Europe). Only along Caspian Sea coast more 700 000 waterbirds have wintering and more 200 000 have nesting (from them 40 000 on islands and old oil platforms in Caspian Sea). Azerbaijan is 4th country of Europe according to number of birds’ species included in IUCN Red List and from these 36 species 22 are waterbirds including Dalmatian pelican, White-headed Duck, Lesser White-fronted Goose etc. During wintering majority consist ducks, coot, geese and different waders, also cormorants and grebes. Swans and pelicans are especially numerous (up to 30 and 2 thousand consequently) in cold winters when frost and snowing occur. During breeding time - mainly herons, ibises, terns, gulls, pygmy cormorant, purple gallinule and other Rallidae species, some waders. Main threats for wetlands and waterbirds are unsustainable water supply, illegal hunting and fathering, low level of ecological education of local population.

Keywords

• biodiversity
• water birds
• wetlands
• conservation