Wadi Al-Qof - Beit Kahel (20520)
Palestinian Authority Territories, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Wadi Al-Qof - Beit Kahel
Central coordinates: Latitude: 31.5771, Longitude: 35.0478
Elevation (m): 600 to 700
Area of KBA (km2): 25.18994
Protected area coverage (%): 13.47
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: It is located in the western of Hebron, it is far about 6km from the way that connect between the city and the western villages. The area of part of the district area is about 4000 dunum. There is a cave in the northern side called Al Toor, the length of this cave is more than 150m. The area is considered as one of the largest regions, which is planted wooded trees, in addition to Um Al-Rihan forests in Jenin destricts. As a result of the plenty of water and wooded trees, the wildlife increased in this valley. The springs of this region are: Al-Sukar, Al-Haska, and Al-Majnounha.
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. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Mediterranean Hotspot (2017). Taxonomy, nomenclature and global threat category follow the 2016 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: The White Stork birds, which pass the region in the spring, in March 1999 it was registered about 2500 birds, also the Lesser Kestrel, the Lesser Spotted Eagle, the Roller, the Rock Doves, the Finch, the Sand Partrige, the Hopooe, the White Wagtail, the European Bee Eater, and the Yellow-vented Bulblul. Non-bird biodiversity: The animals of this region are: the Haeyna, the hystrix, the wolf, the common Badger, the Hare.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry | nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 33 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 | |
| Shrubland | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There are no regulation or orders for the tourism in the area during spring and summer time. The grazing of the livestock beside the woodlands in the same region. The irregular agriculture beside the natural region and these lands return to some individuals and companies that are not organized and this affects the wildlife specially the birds’ life.