Archipel de Zembra (6920)
Tunisia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Archipel de Zembra
Central coordinates: Latitude: 37.1345, Longitude: 10.8072
Elevation (m): 120 to 435
Area of KBA (km2): 1412.20967
Protected area coverage (%): 5.80
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Located in the eastern part of the Gulf of Tunis, to the west of Cap Bon, Zembra island is situated about 15 km west-north-west of the town of El Haouaria. It is a mountainous island rising to 435 m, and is a seaward extension of the Dorsale. The vegetation is Mediterranean maquis and a total of 230 plant species have been recorded, with Olea europaea, Pistacia lentiscus, Arbutus unedo and Erica multiflora as dominants. The vegetation of the small, neighbouring island of Zembretta is halophytic.
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. Zembra holds the largest known breeding colony of Calonectris diomedea in the Mediterranean Sea. The 9 km of cliffs of the island also hold 10 breeding pairs of Falco peregrinus, one of the highest densities known for this species. Other breeding birds include Larus audouinii (10 pairs), Phalacrocorax aristotelis and Larus cachinnans (100 pairs). Non-bird biodiversity: The seal Monachus monachus (CR) was last recorded in 1975.
Delineation rationale: As part of the 2012 global marine IBA assessment, the site boundary has been extended offshore from the seabird breeding colony (Calonectris diomedea) to 211 m depth, adding 140,825 ha of sea to the existing land area of 391 ha.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 1 | |
| Shrubland | 1 | |
| Marine Neritic | 97 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Zembra was declared a National Park in 1977. The site is also a Biosphere Reserve.
Additional information
References: Association Les Amis des Oiseaux (2000), Association Les Amis des Oiseaux and Medmaravis (1995), Azafzaf (2000), Ben Maïz and Boudouresque (1984), Ben Saad (1984), Centre d’Activites Regionales pour les Aires Spécialement Protégées (1986), Gaultier (1978, 1982, 1980), Hollis (1986), Ministère de l’Environnement et de l’Aménagement du Territoire (1999), Oueslati (1995), Smart (1975).