Zallaf (6476)
Libya, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2001

National site name: Zallaf

Central coordinates: Latitude: 27.5333, Longitude: 14.8333

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 390 to 435

Area of KBA (km²): 402.71325

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: This site is situated in the interior of Libya, almost due south of Tripoli and north and west of the oasis town of Sabha. It consists of gently rolling sand-dunes of the Ramlat Zallaf (Azzallaf) system at the eastern end of the great Awbari (Aubari) Erg. Wetlands form in depressions where the water-table is close to the surface, including sebkha saltmarshes and permanent standing pools. Around damp areas and on pool-edges grow Phragmites australis and Juncus spp. with Ammophila spp. grasses in drier parts. The flora is entirely Saharan in character and dominant species include Calligonum comosum, Nitraria retusa, Anabasis articulata, Acacia spp., Euphorbia spp. and Fagonia spp., along with date-palm Phoenix dactylifera, Zizyphus lotus and Tamarix africana.

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 and Table 2 for key species. There are two breeding records of Aythya nyroca from a pool near Askhikah, to the east of the town of Birak (Brak), and up to 100 have been recorded wintering in the area in the past. There have been no avifaunal surveys of the reserve since its notification and its importance therefore requires confirmation. However, there are detailed records from its vicinity from habitats represented within the reserve. The valleys of the area are also important for resting migratory birds, including passerines and waterfowl. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site was declared a Nature Reserve in 1978 and has been recommended as a National Park. Much of the natural vegetation of the oases within the site has been replaced by date-palm plantations. Areas around the oases are subject to heavy grazing while uncontrolled, motorized hunting has led to the extinction of large mammals.

Additional information