Oued Chebeika (6516)
Morocco, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2016

National site name: Oued Chebeika

Central coordinates: Latitude: 28.1294, Longitude: -11.6502

Elevation (m): 0 to 140

Area of KBA (km²): 354.67914

Protected area coverage (%): 21.41

KBA classification: Regional

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: The site comprises the estuary and lower 4 km of a Saharan wadi, the Oued Amma Fatma, which cuts through the surrounding hamada plateau to form a steep-sided valley approximately 600–800 m wide. The wadi is partially blocked near its outlet by a road bridge and dyke which have resulted in the formation of a small freshwater basin and marsh. The banks of the estuary and the sheltered cove between the coastal cliffs are sandy. Vegetation consists of arid scrubland and some aquatic marsh.

Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard. 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. The sandbanks of the estuary and beach provide a roosting site for Larus audouinii and other gull and wader species. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International

Delineation rationale: Type 2 marine IBA: non-breeding (coastal) congregations.

Habitats

Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | tourism/recreation

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is unprotected, but is a priority 3 SIBE (No. L34). Local commercial fishermen and tourists use the beach and cliffs as camping and fishing sites and may disturb roosting and feeding birds. Effective control of these activities is required.

Additional information