Jbil (6960)
Tunisia, Africa

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Year of last assessment: 2001

National site name: Jbil

Central coordinates: Latitude: 33.2333, Longitude: 9.4333

System: terrestrial

Elevation (m): 50 to 220

Area of KBA (km²): 1422.67579

Protected area coverage (%): 96.16

KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Jbil is the largest National Park in Tunisia. It is situated nearly 100 km south of the town of Kebili. It is an area of the Sahara comprising part of the Great Eastern Erg and a 200-m-high hill. The vegetation is typically Saharan and includes species such as Rhanterium suavolens, Arthrophytum schmittianum, Aristida pungens, Retama raetam, Calligonum arich and C. azel.

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)

Additional biodiversity: See Box and Table 2 for key species. This is only IBA in Tunisia from where Passer simplex has been recorded and one of only two at which Ramphocoris clotbey occurs. In addition, Jbil holds a breeding population of Chlamydotis undulata, very rare in Tunisia. Non-bird biodiversity: The mammals Gazella dorcas (VU) and G. leptoceros (EN) both occur, but Acinonyx jubatus (VU) probably no longer does so.

Habitats

Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Desert	100

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Jbil was created a National Park in 1994. Poaching (of gazelles Gazella, sandgrouse Pterocles and Chlamydotis undulata) is the main threat affecting the site.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Recreational activities		Ongoing

Additional information