Bouhedma (6945)
Tunisia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Bouhedma
Central coordinates: Latitude: 34.4705, Longitude: 9.5373
Elevation (m): 90 to 840
Area of KBA (km2): 247.67215
Protected area coverage (%): 65.66
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Situated 60 km south of the town of Sidi Bouzid, Bouhedma National Park represents an ecosystem unique in Tunisia. The vegetation of the park is woodland in which Acacia raddiana occurs in association with Periploca laevigata and Rhus tripartitum. The main peak within the park, Djebel Bouhedma, which reaches 840 m, supports a vegetation dominated by Olea europaea, Juniperus phoenicea and Pistacia atlantica. On the surrounding plains Arthrophytum scoparium and A. schmittiamum are conspicuous elements.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas) 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 and Table 2 for key species. This is one of only two IBAs in Tunisia at which Ramphocoris clotbey occurs. In addition, Aquila chrysaetos and Falco biarmicus erlangeri breed in the park. There is a population of Struthio camelus, reintroduced in the 1980s, as was Numida meleagris. Non-bird biodiversity: The mammals Ammotragus lervia (VU) and Gazella dorcas (VU) have been recorded. There are reintroduced populations of Oryx dammah (EW) and Addax nasomaculatus (EN).
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site was declared a National Park in 1980; it is also a Biosphere Reserve. Threats to areas surrounding the park including overgrazing, wood-cutting and poaching.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Gathering terrestrial plants | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Blanc and Snane (1980), Caieb and Boukhris (1998), Dalensi (1998), GTZ (1994), Karem et al. (1993), Ministère de l’Environnement et de l’Aménagement du Territoire (1999), Nabli (1989).