Plage Blanche - Ras Takoumba (6514)
Morocco, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2016

National site name: Plage Blanche - Ras Takoumba

Central coordinates: Latitude: 28.9062, Longitude: -10.7284

Elevation (m): 0 to 200

Area of KBA (km²): 40.77343

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site consists of a 40-km-long fine-sand beach and associated sand-dunes, stretching from Ras Takoumba in the north to Aoreora in the south, including the estuary of the Oued Boussafene. Along the 15 km of coastline between Ras Takoumba and Oued Boussafene, the coastal sand-dunes are low, and are separated from the inland edge of the coastal plateau by a shallow depression 400–500 m wide, which can be temporarily inundated with fresh water in wet years, forming an attractive habitat for migrating waterfowl. The 25-km stretch of coastline between Oued Boussafene and Aoreora (the section of coast usually referred to as ‘Plage Blanche’) is backed by fields of higher, stable dunes, which reach their greatest width, 9 km, at the southern end of the site. Vegetation consists of dunal vegetation, halophytic scrub with Euphorbia echinus, E. regis-jubae, E. balsamifera, Lycium intricatum and Tamarix gallica along watercourses.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs. 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. Calidris alba is present at high densities along much of the beach during the winter, while Marmaronetta angustirostris may frequent the temporary wetland between Oued Boussafene and Ras Takoumba. Larus fuscus approaches IBA thresholds. Non-bird biodiversity: Fifteen species of reptile, including four Moroccan endemics, and one endemic amphibian, Bufo brongersmai, are known from the site.

Habitats

Land use: agriculture | tourism/recreation

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is currently unprotected and is a priority 3 SIBE (no. L31). The principal threats are disturbance from fishermen and tourists who frequently drive along the beach; overgrazing, mainly between Ras Takoumba and Boussafene; and unregulated development of roads, tracks, settlement and tourist infrastructure. An integrated management plan to control these threats is required.

Additional information