Sebkhet Nouaïel (6956)
Tunisia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1d
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Sebkhet Nouaïel
Central coordinates: Latitude: 33.4833, Longitude: 8.8667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 50 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 2.58776
Protected area coverage (%): 24.85
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Sebkhet Nouaïel is a small salty depression situated 15 km west of the town of Douz, near the date-palm plantations of Nouaïel. This temporary wetland is fed by run-off from the oasis, and is surrounded by halophytic vegetation (Arthrocnemum indicum, Hordeum sp.). It dries out completely in the summer months.
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.
Additional biodiversity: See Box for key species. See under Ghidma (site TN042) for the ornithological importance of the small oasis wetlands near Douz. Nouaïel is also a wintering site for Phoenicopterus ruber, Tadorna tadorna and T. ferruginea. In addition, six species characteristic of the Sahara–Sindian biome have been recorded (see Table 2). Non-bird biodiversity: Among mammals, both Gazella dorcas (VU) and G. leptoceros (EN) have been recorded.
Habitats
Land use: not utilised
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Human disturbance and hunting are the major threats.
| 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 |
| Climate change & severe weather | Droughts | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Gaultier (1988a), Hughes et al. (1997).