Île Rachgoune (6186)
Algeria, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Île Rachgoune
Central coordinates: Latitude: 35.3167, Longitude: -1.4167
Elevation (m): 0 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 0.27186
Protected area coverage (%): 23.27
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Île Rachgoune is located 4 km off the coast of Algeria near the town of Béni-Saf, south-west of Oran and c.60 km south of Îles Habibas (site DZ030). There is no available information concerning habitats.
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)
Additional biodiversity: See Box for key species. A new colony of 60 pairs of Larus audouinii was discovered in 1993. In addition to nesting L. audouinii, there are also records of breeding L. cachinnans (300–350 pairs in 1978). Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Delineation rationale: 2014-02-27 (BL Secretariat): site area of 27 ha calculated from KBA polygon, rounded to nearest 10%.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: In a similar way to Îles Habibas (site DZ030), this island is considered to be relatively undisturbed because of the difficulty of access. The creation of a network of coastal and marine nature reserves, coupled with enforcement of national wildlife legislation and control of rodents in the breeding colonies, have been proposed as the best mechanisms for ensuring continued protection for breeding Larus audouinii.