Wadi Gaza (20519)
Palestinian Authority Territories, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 1999
National site name: Wadi Gaza
Central coordinates: Latitude: 31.4633, Longitude: 34.3773
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 6
Area of KBA (km2): 18.358411
Protected area coverage (%): 12.82
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: It is a wetland region; it follows the coastal system of the Mediterranean Sea. Gaza shore is considered as the only Palestinian drainage, and this is what gives it a great importance. If this shore get developed, it will be a great touristic location which attract the internal tourism, in addition to the tourism, this shore is a unique marine habitat for many species although, it is threatened to be destroyed because of the pollution that results from throwing the garbage in. There are little regions in Gaza that stayed in its’ original and natural condition, and this is because its dispose to the continual destroying by the human. There are unique characteristics for Wadi Gaza.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: This region is considered as the most important regions for the resident and emigrated bird in Palestine. Wadi Gaza is considered from the regions where the water birds and the emigrant birds can be seen, some these species are internationally threatened currently, some of them reside in a short period in this region even in the summer period or the autumn period. The important birds that pass the region in large amounts are: the Glaucous Gull, which is registered about 2500 birds in January 1999. The Greater Flamingo was seen in January 1998, the Night Heron, the Shoveler, and the Great Cormorant reside in the region in the winter (it was registered 150 birds between Gaza port and the Common Snipe (20 couple)). The Crane bird was registered in previous time and its position is not known. The White Pelican passes the region during its emigration it was registered as a crossing bird, the Common Tern birds can be founded in large amount reach to 2000 birds some of them resident the other are emigrated birds, the Great Black-headed Gull exists in Dier Al-Balah shore. Non-bird biodiversity: The plants of salty region from Solicornietae europea that turned to fresh regions plants.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | rangeland/pastureland | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 48 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 48 | |
| Shrubland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Throwing garbage and sewage water to Wadi Gaza from the 1948 borders and also from the Israeli’s cities and companies and from the Palestinian cities. The hunting during the autumn period. The destruction of some parts of the area because of the instruction of the buildings, which is irregular and it is also built beside the valley and the shore. The unjust grazing: there are large numbers of shepherd in this region.