Lagune de Soliman (6928)
Tunisia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Lagune de Soliman
Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.7317, Longitude: 10.4935
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 6.35407
Protected area coverage (%): 45.05
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is on the coast at the base of the Cap Bon peninsula, between the town of Soliman and the sea, at the mouth of the Oued el Melah. Habitats includes flood-plain (much reclaimed for agriculture), saltmarsh, springs, former saltpans and an inlet of the sea. The vegetation is mainly halophytic, with Arthrocnemum and Salicornia species dominating. It is the first wetland on the North African coast for birds migrating from the north in autumn.
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. The area holds a wide variety of waterbirds. Breeding birds include Marmaronetta angustirostris, as well as Himantopus himantopus and Glareola pratincola. During the passage season, there are good numbers of herons, Plegadis falcinellus and several thousand waders of many species including several hundred Tringa stagnatilis, together with Charadrius hiaticula, Pluvialis apricaria, Vanellus vanellus, Limosa limosa and Numenius arquata. There is a major roost of gulls and terns (Laridae), and wintering birds include Phoenicopterus ruber and several ducks. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Delineation rationale: Type 2 marine IBA: non-breeding (coastal) congregations.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 50 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The area is situated within 30 km of the capital, and there is much building of housing and industrial facilities. The area has no protected status and some habitat conservation measures are urgently required. Hunting and human disturbance from nearby tourist hotels are minor in comparison to the building activity.
| 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 |
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Ongoing | |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Storms & flooding | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Gaultier (1986, 1987b, 1988a), Hughes et al. (1997), Meininger et al. (1994).