Barrage Mlaâbi (6923)
Tunisia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Barrage Mlaâbi
Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.8312, Longitude: 10.9820
Elevation (m): 25 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 0.8175
Protected area coverage (%): 91.88
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Mlaâbi reservoir is a small, man-made water-body behind a dam built across a modest watercourse, for irrigation of local agriculture, near the northern tip of Cap Bon, just north of the town of Menzel Temime. Water-levels vary as water is extracted, so there is little permanent vegetation; small areas of Typha angustifolia, Tamarix and Juncus species are found. It is one of several similar reservoirs at the tip of Cap Bon which form important stop-over points for migrating birds, not only waterbirds, since the drainage of Garaet el Haouaria.
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. It is suspected that Oxyura leucocephala (12–80 pairs) and Marmaronetta angustirostris breed. Other species that occur during passage and winter include Podiceps cristatus, Anas platyrhynchos, A. clypeata, A. acuta, Aythya ferina, A. nyroca, Fulica atra, Himantopus himantopus, Glareola pratincola, Charadrius dubius, C. alexandrinus, Calidris minuta, Tringa totanus, T. nebularia, T. glareola and T. hypoleucos. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Habitats
Land use: water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Aquatic | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include human disturbance and hunting.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (unknown use) | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Gaultier (1987b, 1988a), Hughes et al. (1997).