Qulân islands (6204)
Egypt, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2001

National site name: Qulân islands

Central coordinates: Latitude: 24.3667, Longitude: 35.3833

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 5

Area of KBA (km²): 6.54156

Protected area coverage (%): 100.00

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: A small archipelago composed of four small coralline islands: Siyul, Showarit, Um Ladid and Mahabis, mentioned in ascending order of size. The islands are flat and sandy, usually with an elevated rocky northern shoreline, and a sloping southern shore. Showarit island has a small mangrove stand. A fringe of living coral reef surrounds all the islands.

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. Eight bird species have been found breeding on the islands: Phaethon aethereus, Butorides striatus, Egretta gularis, Platalea leucorodia, Falco concolor, Larus hemprichii, Larus leucophthalmus and Sterna caspia. Non-bird biodiversity: Reptiles: Caretta caretta (CR) has been reported nesting on three of the islands.

Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach.

Habitats

Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The islands are part of the Elba National Park, which was declared by Prime Ministerial Decree 450/1986, adjusted by Prime Ministerial Decree 1186/1986 and Prime Ministerial Decree 642/1995. As with Wadi Gimal island (EG017), oil pollution and floating solid waste are an increasing problem along the shoreline. Because of the proximity of the islands to the mainland, they are fairly accessible and are being disturbed by an increasing number of tourists and fishermen, who occasionally collect the eggs and young of breeding birds.

Additional information