Piste de Tagdilt (6507)
Morocco, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2016

National site name: Piste de Tagdilt

Central coordinates: Latitude: 31.3212, Longitude: -5.9098

Elevation (m): 1450 to 1690

Area of KBA (km²): 149.25106

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site consists of the track running south–east from Boumalne-du-Dadès to the village of Tagdilt, and the surrounding stony reg, cut by the beds of numerous small, temporary wadis. Vegetation consists of spiny xerophytic plants. Principal activities are livestock-rearing and ecotourism.

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 and Table 2 for key species. The site is renowned for its diversity of lark species. A total of 41 bird species is known, of which 32 breed, including Chlamydotis undulata. The latter was once regularly observed, but has declined drastically due to over-hunting. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | tourism/recreation

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is unprotected. Threats include overgrazing and hunting by locals and Arab visitors. The potential for revenue generation from ecotourism exists, since the site features on the itinerary of many birdwatching tourists visiting Morocco. Classification as a SIBE and the preparation of a management plan are urgently needed.

Additional information