Forbidden Hunting Area in Pata Khor Wetland

The wetland is located in the east of Ardebil fields on the west of Baghru( Talesh) and its geographical location is at 48°30", 48°25" East longitude and 38°18" , 38°22" North latitude. It's altitude measures 1,330 m.
The wetland under study covers an area of 5,600 hectares and is forbidden for hunting activities. The depth of the wetland exceeds 2 m at the deepest point.

The basin of the area under study

The area covers part of the basin of Ghara Su River which originates in Baghru Mountain and its branches lead up in the wetland after running through the villages of Kale Sar, Darmandaragh, Gullu, and Olaghan. Other branches like Khanghah Chai and Namin Chai near the village of Novje Deh also join and then flow beyond the area.
The area lies on the sedimentary plain of Ardebil with a slope less than 5%. Soil has covered the region deeply and the majority of the lands are national pastures which possess salty soil and therefore the vegetation over there includes plants that are resistant to salt.

Climate

The climate of the region is considered semi-dry based on the statistics gained from the rain gauge in Namin and the synoptic station of Ardebil and the average annual precipitation is 278.5 mm. The average maximum daily temperature is measured 21.8 °C and the average minimum temperature happens in Bahman, -5.3.
The average of the frost days are 123 altogether during the whole year.

Habitat in Pata Khor Wetland

The pond in fact includes 3 large natural holes which actually drain the river of Ghara Su.
In spring when it's wet and there is much rain and snow fall, the waters of Ghara Su River join the waters collected in the natural holes, which are called Gubi in the local language, and create a single pond known as Pata Khor.
The peaceful pond is regarded as a place where migratory birds, flying primarily from north and northwest i . e. Siberia and Northern Europe, spend their winter.

The pond's significance

It is a habitat for many species of plants and animals, especially migratory birds.
Aquatics especially the indigenous fish are to a great extent dependent on the wetland to reproduce and develop their life cycle.
Maintenance and preservation of a wide variety of rare and endangered species especially the aquatic birds like the Siberian cranes highly depends on the pond.
It curbs the floods in the region and avoids them.
Necessary nutrition for plants like Phosphorus and Nitrogen make it a storage place of minerals which are suitable for growth of plants.
It plays a significant role in maintaining micro-climates in the region.
It is valuable economically as aquatic animals and birds are caught in the pond.
As an interesting ecotourism area, it makes money for the whole province.
It conserves the biological diversity of the place.
As a natural environment with diverse plants and animals species, it is regarded as an educational zone for students.

The habitat of Siberian cranes

Siberian cranes are protected based on the international regulations which follow Appendix 1 CITIES. According to the laws of IUCN they are highly becoming extinct.
The birds have temporary resting resorts which sometimes happen to be in Iran, like Lavandavil in the city of Astara or Pata Khor Wetland in Ardebil.
In satellite tracking of the migratory Siberian cranes , carried out by the experts of the International Organization of protecting Siberian cranes in collaboration with Environment Protection Organization in March 1996, the Siberian crane was first witnessed in Pata Khor Wetland on March 8th, 1996.
According to the experts in the research center for studying the bird, the most appropriate habitat for the temporary stopover of the species is in the wetland.