Massif Djurdjura (6178)
Algeria, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2016

National site name: Massif Djurdjura

Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.4523, Longitude: 4.1568

Elevation (m): 1000 to 2000

Area of KBA (km²): 294.25357

Protected area coverage (%): 62.72

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site lies in the Grande Kabylie mountain range, which runs south and south-east from Algiers, just behind the Mediterranean coastline. It is within the Massif du Djurdjura, north-east of Bouira and just south of Tizi-Ouzou. The coordinates given are derived from various large-scale maps and may not accurately reflect the position of the National Park. The area is mountainous, with several peaks over 2,000 m, and the climate is humid due to the close proximity of the coast. There is extensive karst topography at high altitudes and Quercus suber forests up to 1,300 m.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas) 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: See Box for key species. There are records of breeding colonies of Falco naumanni from several locations in and around the Djurdjura massif and surrounding area. Colonies (usually occupied between the end of April and beginning of October) have been reported from Lakhdaria, gorges de l’oued Keddara, Djemaa Taguengourt (all in the Djurdjura) and from nearby—possibly between Tikjda and Tizi N’Kouilal and at Bouira. It is also possible that the species overwinters in the Kabylie, but its current status in Algeria remains poorly known. The selection of the National Park as an IBA is the most practical choice of site, as this designation will afford at least some level of protection. Further survey work is required to determine more precise locations and numbers of F. naumanni within the colonies, to confirm the boundaries of the IBA and to investigate the other bird fauna within the site. Other species occurring in the area of the Parc National above Tikjda include Gypaetus barbatus and Pyrrhocorax pyrrhocorax Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.

Delineation rationale: 2014-03-13 (BL Secretariat): the site area has been changed from 18,550 to 18,500 ha, to better match the official area of the National Park in WDPA.

Habitats

Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site’s status as a National Park will afford at least some protection.

Additional information