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Gavkhouni Wetland Biodiversity Website Project

Enhancing Conservation and Awareness through Digital Engagement

The AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society, in collaboration with the Isfahan Department of Environment, launched a project in June 2022 to design and build a comprehensive biodiversity website for the Gavkhouni International Wetland. The project was successfully completed in 2023 and can be visited at Gavkhouni Wetland Website.

Objectives and Goals

The primary goal of this initiative was to consolidate existing information on the biodiversity of the Gavkhouni Wetland into a single platform, thereby facilitating data access and encouraging research. The website also aims to empower the local community and stakeholders by providing them with a tool for necessary information dissemination and enhancing public awareness.

Content and Features

The website features extensive biodiversity checklists and detailed information on various species groups, including birds, reptiles, and mammals. It also houses a wealth of scientific studies, including reports, scholarly articles, and books related to the Gavkhouni Wetland. Interactive features include a virtual tour, a data center, an image gallery, and a video gallery, making it a rich resource for both casual visitors and serious researchers.

Community Involvement

Representatives from each stakeholder group can publish their content on the website, which may include opinions, notes, studies, or even artistic works and photographs. This inclusivity ensures that the website serves as a dynamic platform reflecting the diverse interests and contributions of the community.

Impact and Usage

Since its launch, the website has attracted over 34,000 visitors, indicating significant interest and engagement from the global community. This high traffic demonstrates the site’s value as an educational and research tool, contributing to the broader understanding and conservation of the Gavkhouni Wetland.

Contributors

The project was driven by the expertise of AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society specialists, environmental scientists from the Isfahan Department of Environment, and local stakeholders, all of whom played crucial roles in the data collection and content creation phases.

Future Directions

With the website now a central hub for information on the Gavkhouni Wetland, future plans include regular updates and expansions to the data and features offered. This ongoing development will continue to support conservation efforts and stimulate community involvement.

Go to Gavkhouni Wetland Biodiversity Website
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Controlling the Conflict Between Beekeepers and Bee-Eaters

Collaborative Efforts to Mitigate Human-Wildlife Conflict and Protect Ecosystems

In many regions across Iran, beekeepers consider bee-eaters a significant threat to their hives and honeybees. Each bee-eater can consume a large number of bees daily. Since these birds live in groups, their encounter with honey production hives during migration can cause substantial losses for beekeepers. This has led to widespread conflict between bee-eaters and beekeepers. One method commonly used by beekeepers to mitigate this issue is poisoning, using bees laced with pesticides like diazinon. Unfortunately, this practice not only kills valuable bee-eater species but also introduces harmful chemicals into the ecosystem, affecting other wildlife that consume the poisoned birds and contaminating the food chain.

Project Objectives and Implementation

The AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society began studying this issue in 2020 and developed an educational and advisory catalog. This catalog introduces the bee-eater, highlights its ecological importance, and compiles various methods to reduce conflicts between bee-eaters and beekeepers, both locally and globally.

Given that center of Iran has over 30,000 beekeepers, specific hotspots of conflict were selected as pilot areas for the project. The Society engaged directly with beekeepers, providing the catalog and educational insights. Beekeepers’ opinions and suggestions were gathered through questionnaires to ensure their feedback was considered.

Key Aspects of the Project

Financial Support: The project is financially supported by Nazre Tabiat NGO through public donations.
Pilot Areas: Three pilot areas were selected based on evidence of conflict hotspots.
Education: Beekeepers were taught on-site at their work locations, addressing specific reasons for increased conflicts.
Evaluation: A pre-test was conducted with all beekeepers, and a post-test will follow to estimate the project’s impact.

Outcomes and Future Steps

The data collected from beekeepers’ feedback will be analyzed by the project’s biodiversity expert to create final content suitable for future educational and research initiatives. This project aims to reduce environmental hazards associated with chemical pest control, protect bee-eaters from poisoning, and promote sustainable coexistence between beekeepers and bee-eaters.

Acknowledgments

The AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society extends its sincere gratitude to Nazre Tabiat NGO for their financial support and to all the beekeepers who participated in the project. This joint effort highlights the importance of collaboration in resolving human-wildlife conflicts.

Project Page on Nazre Tabiat
Advisory Catalog in Persian

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Waterbird Census of Hormozgan Province

Comprehensive Survey of Waterbird Populations in Hormozgan Province

The Department of Environment (DOE) in Hormozgan Province, in collaboration with the AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society, recently completed an extensive waterbird census. This project aimed to monitor waterbird habitats and assess the population and diversity of waterbirds within the province. Beyond data collection, the initiative sought to facilitate knowledge transfer, foster cooperation between governmental bodies and non-governmental organizations, and train local volunteers. Over the past two years, at least ten volunteers have been actively involved, gaining invaluable field experience and skills to implement similar projects in the future.

Methodology

The census covered more than 32 wetlands over a total area of 175,135 hectares, successfully monitoring 76% of these regions. The methodology involved using boats and 4WD vehicles, with experts utilizing binoculars and telescopes to identify and count birds. Over 240 km were covered by boat, more than 1,100 km by 4WD, and additional distances on foot. In high-density areas, simultaneous counting by two experts ensured accuracy. The census was conducted over 20 days from January 24th to February 13th, 2023.

Key Findings

The census recorded an impressive 64,123 waterbirds spanning 97 species, including several near-threatened and vulnerable species such as the Dalmatian Pelican and the Common Pochard. The highest bird counts were observed in Khoor-e Khooran, Rud-e Shur, and the eastern coast of Bandar Abbas.

Training Local Volunteers

AvayeBoom actively involves local volunteers in its projects. For this census, at least ten volunteers were trained and equipped to conduct similar projects independently in the future. This approach ensures the success of current projects while building local capacity and expertise, fostering sustainable conservation efforts. Training local volunteers is a core value of AvayeBoom, empowering communities to take an active role in protecting and managing their natural resources.

Report Availability

The full report is now available for download, offering detailed insights into the findings and methodologies of this significant project.

Acknowledgments

The AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society extends its sincere gratitude to the DOE of Hormozgan Province and to all the volunteers who participated in the census. Their dedication and hard work were instrumental in the successful completion of this project

Download the Report

You can also watch a clip of this project here:

varzaneh and birds of prey

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Reducing MacQueen’s Bustard Collisions with Power Lines

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In a significant move to protect the rare MacQueen’s Bustard (Chlamydotis macqueenii) species in the Abbas Abad Wildlife Refuge in Isfahan, safety measures have been implemented along 7 kilometers of regional power distribution lines. This was achieved by installing 450 spirals to prevent these birds from colliding with power lines during flight. The initiative, a collaboration between the AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society, the Isfahan Power Distribution Company, the Department of Environment, and the Committee for the Protection of Birds and Electrical Networks, was executed on February 28, 2019.

Status of Abbas Abad Wildlife Refuge

Abbas Abad Wildlife Refuge is one of the safest and most suitable habitats for the MacQueen’s Bustard in Iran. Despite the refuge being well-protected by environmental guards and local community support, the loss of bustards due to collisions with power lines has been a matter of great concern. This area, home to a significant population of MacQueen’s Bustards, has witnessed numerous instances where these precious birds have collided with power lines and perished from the resulting injuries.

 

From Idea to Implementation

The AvayeBoom Bird Conservation Society sprang into action in the summer of 2017 after being alerted to this issue by rangers and experts in the Abbas Abad region of Nain. Their mission to preserve bird life and habitats led them to negotiate with the Bird and Electrical Network Committee, a specialized group based in Markazi Province, Arak, focusing on reducing conflicts between power transmission networks and birds.

After the necessary consultations and correspondence, the Society engaged in discussions with the Isfahan Power Distribution Company and coordinated with the Isfahan Department of Environment. Finally, the power company agreed to fund and execute the safety project to reduce collisions of MacQueen’s Bustards with power lines in the area.

After the necessary consultations and correspondence, the Society engaged in discussions with the Isfahan Power Distribution Company and coordinated with the Isfahan Department of Environment. Finally, the power company agreed to fund and execute the safety project to reduce collisions of MacQueen’s Bustards with power lines in the area.

A Brief Introduction to the MacQueen’s Bustard

The MacQueen’s Bustard is a rare bird species in Iran, preferring desert and semi-desert habitats. Due to overhunting, drought, and habitat destruction, its population has declined. Currently, some areas in the country with high security and better habitat conditions serve as its home. The MacQueen’s Bustard is a large bird, with a wingspan reaching up to 145 centimeters. It is omnivorous, feeding on a variety of insects, plants, and even some reptiles.

Project Impact

Since the implementation of the safety measures, there has been no evidence of any collisions of MacQueen’s Bustards with power lines in the area. We are conducting a scientific research study to monitor and report the long-term impact of this project. This ongoing research will help us assess the effectiveness of our efforts and guide future conservation strategies. This successful project demonstrates the effectiveness of collaborative conservation efforts and the impact of targeted interventions to protect vulnerable bird species.