Sebkhet Ennoual (6948)
Tunisia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Sebkhet Ennoual
Central coordinates: Latitude: 34.3957, Longitude: 9.7833
Elevation (m): 50 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 230.76056
Protected area coverage (%): 64.19
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is a salt depression situated 70 km south-west of the town of Sfax and forms the southern border of Bouhedma National Park (site TN028). The surrounding area, included in the IBA, is semi-desert grassland in which the dominant plant species include Arthrophytum scoparium and Astragalus armatus. The sebkha itself supports a halophytic vegetation which includes Arthrocnemum and Salicornia species.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard. 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. Other waterbirds that winter on the salt-flats, especially in years of good rainfall when the water is less saline, include Ardea cinerea, Egretta garzetta, Tadorna tadorna, T. ferruginea, Anas clypeata and Grus grus. The areas around the sebkha also hold Chlamydotis undulata, Charadrius morinellus (in winter), Cursorius cursor, Pterocles orientalis, Lanius excubitor, Scotocerca inquieta and Emberiza striolata. Non-bird biodiversity: The mammal Gazella dorcas (VU) has been recorded.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include overgrazing and hunting.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Intentional use (species being assessed is the target) | Ongoing |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Gaultier (1988a), Nabli (1989).