Jebel Al-Ras - Wadi Al-Makhrour (20517)
Palestinian Authority Territories, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1999
National site name: Jebel Al-Ras - Wadi Al-Makhrour
Central coordinates: Latitude: 31.6667, Longitude: 35.1500
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 913 to 913
Area of KBA (km2): 11.06071
Protected area coverage (%): 27.57
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: It a natural and agricultural region, it is located in the western part of Bethlehem city, the lands of Beit Jala, Battir and Krimzan monastery. It consists of several regions, which are the natural and agricultural regions; it also consists of some springs and the fresh water, in addition to the thick forests. It is considered as one of the remaining regions in Bethlehem district, which has a great importance in the existence of some natural trees that were found in Palestine since tens of years ago. There is a natural way in this area, at which the inhabitants use in spring to stroll in the region for comfort and enjoying by this fascinating nature.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: There are tens of birds pass by this region during spring and autumn, and the bird that are registered are: Honey Buzzerd, Black- eared Wheatear, Palestine Sunbird, and Sand Partrige. The Golden Eagle was a resident in this area.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry | rangeland/pastureland | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 45 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 45 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The Israeli authorities confiscate the natural regions and build residential regions on the natural regions or they construct roads around the residential region, which destruct the habitat of the wildlife. The sewage water that comes from Gelo settlement, which locate in the southern northern part of this site, cover some of natural and agricultural regions and this affects the nature of this region and its continents. There is a garbage dump in the middle of this region, people through garbage without using the right ways of getting ride of their garbage so they through it in the nature.