Um Al-Safa - Nabi Saleh (20521)
Palestinian Authority Territories, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Um Al-Safa - Nabi Saleh
Central coordinates: Latitude: 31.9954, Longitude: 35.1511
Elevation (m): 600 to 600
Area of KBA (km2): 51.92723
Protected area coverage (%): 6.26
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: It is a protected area that consists of natural and official forests, it is located near Ramallah city, it follows the Mediterranean climate system, at which the large size trees exist and the mountainous region, in addition to the vallies and hills that surrounding the area. There are some springs located near the region, there are also some agricultural regions such as the olive, and there is a natural way that people can use, it is a summer resort area in the spring and summer.
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 Storks birds pass the region during their spring emigration; it was registered about 2000 birds in March 1999, the Lesser Spotted Eagle also was registered in the region, and the Palestine Sunbird.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | forestry | nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 33 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 33 | |
| Shrubland | 33 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The instruction of Israeli settlements in the center of the forest, which means destroying of the region and the forest. Cutting of wooded trees: some inhabitants take the opportunity during the absence of the responsible persons to cut trees and use them for their one personal use, which affects negatively on the forest continuation and on it biodiversity. The unjust and unorganized grazing in the region.