Chott Djerid (6952)
Tunisia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1b, A1d, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2010
National site name: Chott Djerid
Central coordinates: Latitude: 33.7167, Longitude: 8.3833
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 15 to 15
Area of KBA (km2): 5802.18668
Protected area coverage (%): 79.97
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Chott Djerid, situated between the towns of Tozeur and Kebili, is the largest salt depression in North Africa, and gives its name to the whole region. In very wet winters it resembles an inland sea, though water depth never exceeds 1 m; in most years it is a huge area of wet salt, unvegetated because of the high salinity. Also included in the IBA is the steppe surrounding the Chott.
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 by the 2010 CEPF Mediterranean Ecosystem Profile process. Taxonomy and threat status follow the 2008 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: See Box and Table 2 for key species. Most of the inhospitable salt-wastes of the Djerid are unattractive to birds, and wintering waterbirds only occur during very wet winters. The Djerid is probably the only regular breeding site in Tunisia for Phoenicopterus ruber, but the breeding areas are so inaccessible that they have not recently been visited. The shores of Chott Djerid are important areas for many species of the steppe–desert ecotone. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Habitats
Land use: not utilised
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats include hunting, human disturbance and oil exploration.
| 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 | |
| Energy production & mining | Oil & gas drilling | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Ben Ouezdou (1998), Dalensi (1998), Gaultier (1988a), Hughes et al. (1997), Nouira and Blanc (1986).