Bou Redim (6159)
Algeria, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Bou Redim
Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.7500, Longitude: 8.2500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 0.15542
Protected area coverage (%): 100.00
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: This site lies just to the south-west of Lac Oubeïra (site DZ001) and consists of a low-lying marsh flooded in winter by water from the Oued El Kebir. It forms part of the El Kala wetlands complex and remains wet throughout the summer due to the high water-table in the surrounding dunes. The site consists of a mixture of open water and wet woodland, with Fraxinus angustifolia, Laurus sp. and Ulmus sp. at the edges and Alnus glutinosa and Salix spp. dominant in the centre. There are also tall tussocks of Carex elata in the centre of the site and the areas of open water are dominated by Nymphaea alba, which is rare in Algeria, and Potamogeton spp. Another national rarity, Lycopus europaeus, is also present.
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: See Box for key species. The site is principally important for its mixed breeding colony of Bubulcus ibis and Egretta garzetta and also as a winter roost for these two species. It is an ideal site for breeding herons, because of its inaccessibility and the shelter from wind provided by the surrounding tall trees, and is the only area where substantial numbers of B. ibis were found in Algeria in the 1980s.Other species observed in and around the marsh include Tachybaptus ruficollis and a variety of raptors (all in small numbers): Milvus migrans, Gyps fulvus, Circus aeruginosus, Accipiter nisus, Buteo rufinus and Hieraaetus pennatus. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Delineation rationale: 2010-02-02 (BL Secretariat): site area was not defined in the original IBA publication/inventory; here, it has been derived by GIS from the draft polygon.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site lies within the Parc National d’El Kala and the El Kala Biosphere Reserve. The species-rich alder woodland (similar in composition to that at Lac Tonga, site DZ002) is regarded as being of high conservation significance in North Africa and this, together with the importance of the heronry, means that the site merits protection. Plans to dam the Oued El Kebir at Mexanna (to provide domestic water for the city of El Kala) could have a serious detrimental impact on this wetland.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Large dams | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Chalabi et al. (1985), Ledant et al. (1981), Stevenson et al. (1988).