Barrage Lebna (6929)
Tunisia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Barrage Lebna
Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.7540, Longitude: 10.8998
Elevation (m): 43 to 43
Area of KBA (km2): 6.84441
Protected area coverage (%): 94.25
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Lebna is the largest and probably the most important of the artificial reservoirs of the northern Cap Bon peninsula, with the most extensive vegetation along the two streams which flow into it and which are dammed; there are extensive stands of Phragmites communis, Typha angustifolia and Juncus spp., which provide nesting habitat and cover for many waterbirds.
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. Regular breeding species include Oxyura leucocephala (20–50 birds also winter) and Marmaronetta angustirostris (50–100 birds winter), as well as Porphyrio porphyrio, together with species such as Tachybaptus ruficollis, Podiceps cristatus and Fulica atra. Elaneus caeruleus breeds in the vicinity. Being situated near the tip of Cap Bon, Lebna, to some extent, replaces the drained former marsh of Garaet el Haouaria, and attracts a good number and variety of passage waterbirds, including species such as Plegadis falcinellus, Platalea leucorodia, storks, waders and terns. Several hundred Aythya nyroca regularly occur as post-breeding migrants. Wintering waterbirds include Anas platyrhynchos, A. acuta, A. penelope, A. clypeata, A. strepera, Aythya fuligula, A. ferina and Fulica atra, with total numbers of up to 20,000. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Habitats
Land use: water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Wetlands(Inland) | 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 |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing | |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Gaultier (1986, 1987b, 1988a), Hughes et al. (1997), Meininger et al. (1994).