Zone Humide de Laayoune (6518)
Morocco, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Zone Humide de Laayoune
Central coordinates: Latitude: 27.1771, Longitude: -13.2665
Elevation (m): 30 to 60
Area of KBA (km2): 18.81859
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Located along the course of the Oued Saquia Al Hamra, the site is bordered on its southern side by the suburbs of the rapidly growing town of Laayoune. Along much of its course, the oued is dry for most of the year, only holding water after infrequent rainfall. However, about 1 km downstream from Laayoune the oued is blocked by mobile dunes, so that the discharged effluent of the town forms a series of permanent stagnant pools. Vegetation consists of fringing stands of Tamarix and Hyphaene spp., with aquatic species Ruppia sp. and Charia mauretanica.
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. Six species have been recorded breeding, including Tadorna ferruginea, Ciconia nigra and Glareola pratincola, as well as one species of the Sahara–Sindian biome (see Table 2). The site is chiefly important as a stop-over area for migrating waders and waterfowl, and small numbers of wintering Marmaronetta angustirostris have been recorded. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is unprotected. The main measure necessary is conservation education of the surrounding population to reduce undue disturbance to nesting and wintering birds.
Additional information
References: Qninba et al. (1997).