Population number and Distribution of Lesser Population number and Distribution of Lesser White-Fronted Goose ( Anser erythropus) White-Fronted Goose ( Anser erythropus)

In IranIn Iran

For submission to the International GooseFor submission to the International Goose

Conference, 1st – 4th April 2005,Conference, 1st – 4th April 2005,

Helsinki, Finland.Helsinki, Finland.

By : Jamshid Mansoori, PhD. Ecologist/ OrnithologistBy : Jamshid Mansoori, PhD. Ecologist/ Ornithologist

Assistant Professor, Azad Islamic University, Assistant Professor, Azad Islamic University, Tonekabon BranchTonekabon Branch

AprilApril 2005 2005

IntroductionIntroductionThe I.R.of Iran is a vast country, covers a The I.R.of Iran is a vast country, covers a total land area of about 1,648,184 sq. Km. total land area of about 1,648,184 sq. Km. nearly as large as France, England, Ireland, nearly as large as France, England, Ireland, Italy, and Spain combined.Italy, and Spain combined.In fact in the region, it is much larger than In fact in the region, it is much larger than Kuwait, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, Syria, Jordan, Iraq, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Yemen, Lebanon, Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia all Azerbaijan, Armenia, and Georgia all combined. A human population of at least combined. A human population of at least 60million with an annual growth rate of 60million with an annual growth rate of about 1.5%.about 1.5%.

Over half of Iran is mountainous and Over half of Iran is mountainous and extended between the Caspian Sea to the extended between the Caspian Sea to the north and the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea north and the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea at the southern boundaries.at the southern boundaries.

The prominent major habitat types are The prominent major habitat types are desert and semi-desert desert and semi-desert

(covering approximately 60% of the (covering approximately 60% of the country ), with a significant proportion country ), with a significant proportion also comprising semi-arid steppes. also comprising semi-arid steppes.

Other characteristics of habitat types are Other characteristics of habitat types are high mountain ranges and alpine zones high mountain ranges and alpine zones ( which also account for a sizeable ( which also account for a sizeable proportion of Iran' s total land area ), proportion of Iran' s total land area ), wetlands, arid tropical lowlands, forests and wetlands, arid tropical lowlands, forests and woodlands (which cover some 3.50 million woodlands (which cover some 3.50 million ha. Just 2.3% of the land area, but ha. Just 2.3% of the land area, but considerably more than neighboring considerably more than neighboring including Iraq 1.8 million ha.- and including Iraq 1.8 million ha.- and Afghanistan 1.7 million ha.), the coastal Afghanistan 1.7 million ha.), the coastal fringe ( a mosaic of tidal mudflats, fringe ( a mosaic of tidal mudflats, mangroves, sandy beaches and sea-cliffs) mangroves, sandy beaches and sea-cliffs) and offshore islands in the Persian Gulf.and offshore islands in the Persian Gulf.

At least 11.5% of land is under cultivation At least 11.5% of land is under cultivation ( more than half of the country is ( more than half of the country is classified as uncultivable ) and large classified as uncultivable ) and large tracts of habitat, particularly semi-arid tracts of habitat, particularly semi-arid steppe, have been modified by livestock steppe, have been modified by livestock grazing.grazing.

Iran support a rich and diverse avifauna Iran support a rich and diverse avifauna totaling approximately 500 species a totaling approximately 500 species a consequence of the diverse range of consequence of the diverse range of habitats found across a very broad habitats found across a very broad altitudinal range ( from 26m. below sea altitudinal range ( from 26m. below sea level to 5600m ) and Iran' s strategic level to 5600m ) and Iran' s strategic location at the convergence of three major location at the convergence of three major faunal regions.faunal regions.

The bird fauna is predominantly Pale-arctic. The bird fauna is predominantly Pale-arctic. Many species from the large western Pale-Many species from the large western Pale-arctic element reach their eastern limits in arctic element reach their eastern limits in the central Alborz and Zagros mountains, the central Alborz and Zagros mountains, whilst eastern Pale-arctic taxa extend into whilst eastern Pale-arctic taxa extend into north-east Iran, as far as Khorasan north-east Iran, as far as Khorasan highlands. Oriental species comprise a highlands. Oriental species comprise a significant proportion of the avifauna, and in significant proportion of the avifauna, and in the south-west there is a small Afro-tropical the south-west there is a small Afro-tropical enclaves.enclaves.

Three hundred and twenty four bird Three hundred and twenty four bird species are known as to have bred in species are known as to have bred in Iran. The country also spans an Iran. The country also spans an important migration flyway and important migration flyway and stopover zone for many bird species stopover zone for many bird species that bred to the north, east, and winter that bred to the north, east, and winter in Africa and Arabia to the southeast. in Africa and Arabia to the southeast. In addition, some bird species which In addition, some bird species which bred in northeast Europe and west bred in northeast Europe and west Asia, migrate southeast to the Indian Asia, migrate southeast to the Indian subcontinent to winter.subcontinent to winter.

Iran is one of the largest speciation centers Iran is one of the largest speciation centers of Holarctic desert flora. Yet despite 20% of of Holarctic desert flora. Yet despite 20% of Iran's 7000 plant species being endemic Iran's 7000 plant species being endemic (most are found in the mountains regions ), (most are found in the mountains regions ), there are no endemic bird species. Plissé's there are no endemic bird species. Plissé's Ground Jay Ground Jay Podoces pleskei,Podoces pleskei, however, however, which occurs in the desert regions of central which occurs in the desert regions of central and eastern Iran, is only known elsewhere and eastern Iran, is only known elsewhere from extreme western Afghanistan. This from extreme western Afghanistan. This enigmatic but poorly-known bird well be one enigmatic but poorly-known bird well be one of several species subject to the focus of a of several species subject to the focus of a specific study.specific study.

Bird Species of conservation concernBird Species of conservation concern

Iran supports 13 bird species Iran supports 13 bird species considered globally threatened with considered globally threatened with extinction and ten near threatened bird extinction and ten near threatened bird

species as following tablespecies as following table

Table 1. Threatened and near-threatened bird species occurring in Iran.Table 1. Threatened and near-threatened bird species occurring in Iran.___________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ Conservation Status Status in Iran Conservation Status Status in Iran Pygmy Cormorant Pygmy Cormorant Phalacrocorax pygmaeus Phalacrocorax pygmaeus NT Uncommon breeder & common winter visitor NT Uncommon breeder & common winter visitor Dalmatian Pelican Dalmatian Pelican Pelecanus crispus Pelecanus crispus VU Breeder, Common winter visitor VU Breeder, Common winter visitorLesser White-Fronted Goose Lesser White-Fronted Goose Anser erythropus Anser erythropus VU Now rare, winter visitorVU Now rare, winter visitorMarbled Teal Marbled Teal Marmaronetta angustirostris Marmaronetta angustirostris VU Declining breeder, common winter visitor VU Declining breeder, common winter visitorFerruginous Duck Ferruginous Duck Aythya nyroca Aythya nyroca VU Breeder and winter visitor VU Breeder and winter visitor White-headed DuckWhite-headed Duck Oxyura leucocephala Oxyura leucocephala VU Breeder, Passage migrant, winter visitor VU Breeder, Passage migrant, winter visitor White-tailed Eagle White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilaHaliaeetus albicila NT Fairly common winter visitor, few breed NT Fairly common winter visitor, few breedBlack Vulture Black Vulture Aegypius monachusAegypius monachus NT Uncommon, resident breeder NT Uncommon, resident breederPallid Harrier Pallid Harrier Circus macruorusCircus macruorus NT Migrant, may breed in the northern steppes NT Migrant, may breed in the northern steppes Great Spotted Eagle Great Spotted Eagle Aquilq clangaAquilq clanga VU Scarce migrant & winter visitor, may breed VU Scarce migrant & winter visitor, may breedImperial EagleImperial EagleAquila heliacaAquila heliaca VU Winter visitor, may breed VU Winter visitor, may breedLesser Kestrel Lesser Kestrel Falco naumanni Falco naumanni VU Breeder & summer visitor, common VU Breeder & summer visitor, commonCaucasian Black GrouseCaucasian Black Grouse Tetrao mlokosiewiczi Tetrao mlokosiewiczi NT Resident breeder in north-west, scarce NT Resident breeder in north-west, scarce Corncrake Corncrake Crex crex Crex crex VU Passage migrant, local breeder VU Passage migrant, local breederSiberian CraneSiberian Crane Grus leucogranus Grus leucogranus EN Very rare winter visitor EN Very rare winter visitorLittle BustardLittle Bustard Tetrax tetrax Tetrax tetrax NT Rare winter visitor, may breed NT Rare winter visitor, may breedGreat BustardGreat Bustard Otis tarda Otis tarda VU Rare, resident breeder & winter visitor VU Rare, resident breeder & winter visitor Black-winged PratincoleBlack-winged Pratincole Glareola nordmanni Glareola nordmanni NT Rare passage migrant NT Rare passage migrantSociable PloverSociable Plover Chettusia gregaria Chettusia gregaria VU Rare passage migrant VU Rare passage migrantGreat SnipeGreat Snipe Gallinago media Gallinago media NT Scarce passage migrant NT Scarce passage migrantSlender-billed CurlewSlender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuvirostris Numenius tenuvirostris CR Very rare passage migrant, poorly known CR Very rare passage migrant, poorly knownIraq BabblerIraq BabblerTurdoides altirostris Turdoides altirostris NT Local resident breeder NT Local resident breederCinereous BuntingCinereous BuntingEmberiza cineraceaEmberiza cineracea NT Scarce, breeding summer visitor NT Scarce, breeding summer visitor________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Many of these have undergone substantial, Many of these have undergone substantial, even dramatic declines in recent years, and even dramatic declines in recent years, and among them, the Lesser White-fronted goose among them, the Lesser White-fronted goose is of more concern.is of more concern.Although much of Iran is extremely dry, there Although much of Iran is extremely dry, there are several very extensive wetland systems are several very extensive wetland systems of great importance for a wide variety of of great importance for a wide variety of wetland species; 22 of which designated as wetland species; 22 of which designated as

Ramsar Internationally importantRamsar Internationally important

Iran possesses an extremely diverse Iran possesses an extremely diverse Fauna and Flora, because of its great Fauna and Flora, because of its great range of habitats. Dashte-Moghan range of habitats. Dashte-Moghan bordering with Azerbaijan north-west, bordering with Azerbaijan north-west, uroomyieh Lake very north-west, the uroomyieh Lake very north-west, the Caspian Sea, its 700 km. of sandy Caspian Sea, its 700 km. of sandy shorelines of whole southern parts, fresh shorelines of whole southern parts, fresh water lakes, marshes and brackish water lakes, marshes and brackish lagoons in central Gilan, Miankaleh lagoons in central Gilan, Miankaleh wetland, Gorgan Bay area, and the wetland, Gorgan Bay area, and the Turkemen steppe and wetlands, wetland Turkemen steppe and wetlands, wetland areas of south-west ( Shadegan and Horel-areas of south-west ( Shadegan and Horel-azim wetland complex ) and Dez with azim wetland complex ) and Dez with Dashte Arjan, Parishan lake, and many Dashte Arjan, Parishan lake, and many others here or there in the country, others here or there in the country, provide a complex of breeding and provide a complex of breeding and wintering areas for a great variety of wintering areas for a great variety of waterfowl.waterfowl.

Distribution of L.W. F. Goose in Iran Distribution of L.W. F. Goose in Iran The Lesser White-fronted Goose once was The Lesser White-fronted Goose once was distributed in high population in many distributed in high population in many wetland areas throughout Iran. But, due to wetland areas throughout Iran. But, due to the pressure of population growth, caused the pressure of population growth, caused unsafe conditions and destruction of unsafe conditions and destruction of habitats, infrastructural development, illegal habitats, infrastructural development, illegal hunting and poaching confined this bird to hunting and poaching confined this bird to some small areas as it is shown on map 1.some small areas as it is shown on map 1.

Map 1. No. of the Areas surveyedMap 1. No. of the Areas surveyed

Population number of L.W.F. Goose Population number of L.W.F. Goose Throughout Iran.Throughout Iran.The figures showing the mid-winter counts The figures showing the mid-winter counts and the figures with stars are peak counts and the figures with stars are peak counts of that yearof that year

Please see the table 2Please see the table 2

The reality it is that the L.W.F.Geese usually The reality it is that the L.W.F.Geese usually have have been been observed migrating in observed migrating in the past in the past in populations of about 4000-7000 birds in populations of about 4000-7000 birds in most wetland areas of Iran. in recent years most wetland areas of Iran. in recent years as the trend of as the trend of population shows, the population shows, the number of this bird decrease even in only number of this bird decrease even in only one bird in 2005. one bird in 2005.

Although there is not a detailed survey Although there is not a detailed survey of the L.W.F.G., in all wetland areas in of the L.W.F.G., in all wetland areas in Iran, however, the following curve Iran, however, the following curve shows that in recent years, there is a shows that in recent years, there is a great decline in the number of the great decline in the number of the L.W.F. Geese migrating throughout the L.W.F. Geese migrating throughout the country.country.

The mid-winter counts of 2005 showed The mid-winter counts of 2005 showed that only one L.W.F.Goose has been that only one L.W.F.Goose has been observed, therefore, it is an important observed, therefore, it is an important alarm for all the people whom follow alarm for all the people whom follow up the situation of this bird, and up the situation of this bird, and should be considered greatly. should be considered greatly.

Considering that, will help us to find Considering that, will help us to find out the reasons of these changes and out the reasons of these changes and try to find a way to prevent this try to find a way to prevent this decline.decline.

As far as I know the main reasons of As far as I know the main reasons of this decline might be defined are as this decline might be defined are as follows:follows:

Table 2. shows that in 1970s a good Table 2. shows that in 1970s a good population of the L.W.F.Geese have been population of the L.W.F.Geese have been observed in many areas throughout Iran, observed in many areas throughout Iran, however, during the recent years the however, during the recent years the

populationspopulations have been decreased have been decreased

dramatically.dramatically.

Figure 1. Mid-Winter counts of L.W.F.G in Iran

44 39 43

305

174

1540

25122

29 21 10

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

1

Years of survey

Popu

lation

No record available for 1994, 1995 and 1997

1.In comparison to the other countries in the 1.In comparison to the other countries in the Middle East, Iran is a large country, therefore Middle East, Iran is a large country, therefore it is very difficult and expensive to visit all it is very difficult and expensive to visit all the wetland areas throughout the country. I the wetland areas throughout the country. I appreciate any cooperation from any appreciate any cooperation from any organization to help the BirdLife branch of organization to help the BirdLife branch of Iran to have a comprehensive survey in all Iran to have a comprehensive survey in all wetland areas next winter in search of wetland areas next winter in search of L.W.F.G. L.W.F.G.

2. Although the reason of this decline 2. Although the reason of this decline is related to the decline of world is related to the decline of world population of this bird, however, it is population of this bird, however, it is important that this decline be important that this decline be identified clearly. identified clearly.

3. As far as I have visited most 3. As far as I have visited most wetland areas of Iran, neither a severe wetland areas of Iran, neither a severe change has occurred in the wetlands, change has occurred in the wetlands, nor any trace of hunting this bird has nor any trace of hunting this bird has been observed.been observed.

4. In my opinion it is important to 4. In my opinion it is important to check the migration routes of this bird check the migration routes of this bird in recent years so that to find out any in recent years so that to find out any change of these routes and compare change of these routes and compare them with the past routine.them with the past routine.

5. Another reason for the decline 5. Another reason for the decline might relate to its hunting in some might relate to its hunting in some areas, therefore it should be detected areas, therefore it should be detected and provide a situation to prevent it.and provide a situation to prevent it.

ConservationConservationAlthough the Department of the Environment Although the Department of the Environment is the only organization responsible for the is the only organization responsible for the conservation of wildlife resources in Iran, conservation of wildlife resources in Iran, however, according to a very small support however, according to a very small support from the finish friends of L.W.F.G, few from the finish friends of L.W.F.G, few important areas in search of this bird have important areas in search of this bird have been visited every 2 weeks by a group of 4 been visited every 2 weeks by a group of 4 bird watchers since 2002.bird watchers since 2002.

The important problem of the L.W.F.G The important problem of the L.W.F.G is the lack of information and public is the lack of information and public awareness. It is vital to implement awareness. It is vital to implement effective education program for local effective education program for local people, hunters, and the authorities to people, hunters, and the authorities to make them understand that this bird is make them understand that this bird is in danger and should be protect as an in danger and should be protect as an important part of biodiversity, for our important part of biodiversity, for our future generation. I appreciate any future generation. I appreciate any cooperation for the establishment of a cooperation for the establishment of a working program in order to take a working program in order to take a longer stride on the conservation of longer stride on the conservation of the Lesser White-fronted Goose.the Lesser White-fronted Goose.

ReferencesReferences

Mansoori, J. 1984. National Report of Iran. Second Mansoori, J. 1984. National Report of Iran. Second Conference of the Parties, Groningen The Conference of the Parties, Groningen The Netherlands. Ramseur Convention Bureau.Netherlands. Ramseur Convention Bureau.

Mansoori, J. 2000. LWFG population in the Islamic Mansoori, J. 2000. LWFG population in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Job Completion Report. Republic of Iran. Job Completion Report. Department of the Environment. Iran.Department of the Environment. Iran.

Mansoori, J. 2001. The status of the LWFG in Mansoori, J. 2001. The status of the LWFG in Uromiyeh National Park. Uromiyeh National Park. Yekom Consulting Engineers Tehran. In Farsi.Yekom Consulting Engineers Tehran. In Farsi.

Mid winter Counts of Water-birds, 1990-2005. Mid winter Counts of Water-birds, 1990-2005. Ornithology Unit, Department of the Environment, Ornithology Unit, Department of the Environment, Iran.Iran.

Khaleghizadeh, M. 2003,2004. Lesser White-Khaleghizadeh, M. 2003,2004. Lesser White-fronted Goose Surveys in Dashte-Moghan and fronted Goose Surveys in Dashte-Moghan and Uromiyeh National Park.Uromiyeh National Park.

Ashouri A. 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. LWFG in Ashouri A. 2002, 2003, 2004, and 2005. LWFG in Bujagh wetland.Bujagh wetland.Job Completion report. Gilan Environmental Job Completion report. Gilan Environmental province, Iran.province, Iran.

Scott, D.A. 1995. A Directory of Wetlands in the Scott, D.A. 1995. A Directory of Wetlands in the Middle East. IUCN.Middle East. IUCN.Birdlife International, Ramseur Convention.Birdlife International, Ramseur Convention.