King Salman Royal Nature Reserve (northern section) (200735)
Saudi Arabia, Middle East

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, D1a

Year of last assessment: 2024

National site name: King Salman Royal Nature Reserve (northern section)

Central coordinates: Latitude: 29.7727, Longitude: 38.2678

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 400 to 1400

Area of KBA (km²): 78828.1822

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: No

Site details

Site description: King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Natural Reserve ((KSRNR) is the largest natural reserve in Saudi Arabia. It covers 130,700 km². It is located in the north of Saudi Arabia beside the Jordan–Saudi Arabia borders, and is known for its pure nature, fresh air, geographic and heritage diversity, and rare monuments dating back to about 8,000 BC. The reserve contains a tremendous diversity of physical geography, consisting of 14 geographic formations of mountains, plains, and plateaus, among others. The northern part of the reserve has been surveyed extensively in recent years and shown for its importance for biodiversity. Several provinces and villages are within the perimeters of the KBA, such as Al Qurayyat and Tubarjal towns in the Al Jowf Region. and Turaif City in the Northern Borders. The KBA shares its borders with Tabuk on the west, Al Jouf to the east, Tayma city in the southwest, and it borders Jordan to the north. The KBA encompasses three main vegetation/habitat types, namely the sand dunes, chert hammada and scrub on the basalt (harrah) vegetation types. Until its formal designation in June 2018, this area consisted of three protected areas: Harrat Al-Harra, Al-Khunfa and Al-Tubaiq. Two of them, Harrat Al-Harrah and Al-Tubaiq, were identified as Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) in 1994 and a further two new IBAs were identified in 2023, namely Tabarjal and Turaif-Qurayyat. The KBA comprises a variety of animals that reaches up to three hundred species. Among them are rare deer and different wild animals.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This is one of the most important sites for the Endangered Steppe Eagle (Aquila nipalensis) (criteria A1a, A1c, D1a). It also supports at least a further three species meeting global criteria A1a, A1c and D1a, including Critically Endangered Sociable Lapwing (Vanellus gregarious), Endangered Lappet-faced Vulture (Torgos tracheliotus), and Buzzard (Buteo buteo). Additionally, the site is of significance for Arabian Lark (Eremalauda eremodites), Eastern Imperial Eagle (Aquila heliaca), and Pallid Harrier (Circus macrourus). The site serves as breeding grounds for Lappet-faced Vulture from April to July, marking a seasonal part of the species' range (criterion A1c).

Additional biodiversity: The area is very important as a wintering area for Steppe Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Steppe Buzzard, Pallid Harrier, and Sociable Lapwing. Moreover, two species are residents and breed in the area, including Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos and Arabian Lark Eremalauda eremodites. Non-avian species present include the following mammals Canis lupus arabs, Paraechinus aethiopicus and Lepus capensis, and reptiles Cerastes gasperettii, Rhagerhis moilensis and Acanthodactylus schmidti.

Manageability of the site: The site is part of the King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve (KSRNR) which is managed by the King Salman Bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve Development Authority governed by national authority and is registered in the Protected Planet under the IUCN Management Category VI: protected area with sustainable use of natural resources. It is already managed as part of the whole protected area conservation management plan, with special focus on core areas for birds and biodiversity. The site already has an active patrolling plan, seasonal conservation plan, and other management tools.

Supersedes another site: This site also covers the area of two KBAs that should be superseded when this new sites is confirmed, namely Harrat al-Harrah (8253) and At-Tubayq (8255)

Other site values: There are four administrative regions within the KBA in which more than 300,000 people live in fixed homes within Multiple-use Zones, and Urban Containment zones, according to the land use plan within the KBA. The KBA provides a variety of ecosystem services to the local communities. It serves as an important source of grazing for the local communities, providing opportunities for livestock and other animals to graze in the open spaces. It provides a decadent array of plant species with significant traditional medicinal uses that contribute to the community's health and well-being, and certain plants also hold considerable nutritional value and are essential to local diets. The site is a natural sanctuary for the local community to engage in leisurely activities and recreation.

Delineation rationale: The initial delineation was suggested by consultant who conducted the KBA assessment according to the proposed guidance, suggested by the Key Biodiversity Area Partnership, in consultation with the KSRNR management. The delineated area cover all the old protected area (Harrat al-Harrah, At-Tubayq, and Al-Khunfah), and four IBAs (Turaif-Qurayyat, Harrat al-Harrah, Tabarjal, and At-Tubayq), and covers the important habitats for key triggering birds species. The delineated area combines the closest IBAs and protected areas according to biodiversity elements and diversity of ecosystems, where the ecological integrity attributes include acacia three bushes, cliffs, three types of deserts, temporary streams and lakes, and many more. From the north, the area is limited geopolitically by the Jordanian borders. The final delineated boundaries were verified and agreed during a consultation workshop held in Tubuk in January 2024.

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: The reserve contains a tremendous diversity of physical geography, consisting of 14 geographic formations of mountains, plains, and plateaus, among others. It encompasses three main vegetation/habitat types, namely the sand dunes, chert hammada and scrub on the basalt (harrah) vegetation types. The Dune habitat is varying from undulating dunes to flat sand sheets. Dune vegetation types are mainly 2 the first is dominated by the shrub Haloxylon persicum while the other type is dominated by Calligonum comosum. The hammada habitat is usually associated with herb layer and few shrub species. Basal Harra also know as lava fields are less vegetated and dominated by the herb layer.

Land use: The KBA is predominantly remote and undisturbed and includes areas that are irrigated and used for agriculture, especially growing of alfalfa, and there are small pockets of pasture and other areas open to free grazing for livestock (chiefly camels, goats and sheep). There are conservation areas supporting a range of reintroduction programmes, including for Arabian oryx Oryx leucoryx, Arabian Sand Gazelle Gazella marica, Mountain Gazelle Gazella gazella, and Asian Houbara Chlamydotis macqueenii. More broadly, the KBA and wider reserve have been classified into four main sections, each with specific characteristics and allowed activities, along with a detailed description of habitats and land cover patterns: 1. Total Protection Zones: These zones are designated for the strictest level of protection, where no activities other than scientific research and non-motorized tourism are permitted. 2. High Protection Zones: In these zones, scientific research, non-motorized tourism, and grazing activities are allowed, subject to specific regulations. 3. Multiple-use Zones: These zones allow for a variety of activities, but certain conditions and restrictions may apply. 4. Urban Containment Zone: This zone falls under reserve supervision and management to ensure sustainable urban development practices.

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Artificial - Aquatic	3	Water Storage Areas [over 8 ha]
Desert	86.5	Desert – Cold
Wetlands(Inland)	0.5	Wetlands (inland) – Freshwater springs and oases
Artificial - Aquatic	10	Plantations

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The predominant pressures at the site are from agricultural activities, hydrology, industrial and mining activities. A range of other pressures have been documented including urban development and expansion, and factors relating to climate change, including desertification. A principal threat to Steppe Eagle overwintering at KSRNR was identified as electrocution from power lines and in response the reserve team has identified hotspots where this species congregates and has isolated the medium-voltage pylons surrounding these areas.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Nomadic grazing	Ongoing
Natural system modifications	Dams & water management/use	Abstraction of ground water (agricultural use)	Ongoing
Residential & commercial development	Commercial & industrial areas		Ongoing
Energy production & mining	Mining & quarrying		Ongoing
Agriculture & aquaculture	Livestock farming & ranching	Agro-industry grazing, ranching or farming	Ongoing
Residential & commercial development	Housing & urban areas		Ongoing
Climate change & severe weather	Other impacts		Ongoing
Climate change & severe weather	Droughts		Ongoing
Biological resource use	Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	Intentional use (species being assessed is the target)	Ongoing
Transportation & service corridors	Utility & service lines		Ongoing

Additional information

References: Rubinić, B. and Sinav, L. 2023. Assessment of a Key Biodiversity Area status of the King Salman Royal Nature Reserve, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Unpublished report. KSRNR 2023. Summary Report of Bird Baseline Assessment for King Salman Ibn Abdulaziz Royal Nature Reserve (KSRNR) – 2023 KSRNR, Kingdom Saudi Arabia UNEP-WCMC (2024). Protected Area Profile for King Salman Bin Abdalaziz Royal Natural Reserve from the World Database on Protected Areas, January 2024. Available at: www.protectedplanet.net