Sidi Toui (6962)
Tunisia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2001
National site name: Sidi Toui
Central coordinates: Latitude: 32.7333, Longitude: 11.3667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 30 to 178
Area of KBA (km2): 64.49686
Protected area coverage (%): 98.08
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Sidi Toui National Park is situated in the south-east of the country, 54 km south of the town of Ben Gardane. The site includes a low hill, Djebel Sidi Toui (172 m), surrounded by an extensive plain composed of small dunes, sebkhas and dry sandy wadis. The area as a whole is representative of the eastern Sahara region of Tunisia. In the north the vegetation is dominated by Rhanterium suavolens and Stipa lagascae. Around Djebel Sidi Toui, the vegetation is more shrubby, with Periploca laevigata, Rhus tripartitum and, in sandy areas, Retema raetam.
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. Chlamydotis undulata is known to breed in the area. Large numbers of migratory raptors and passerines move through this area on spring passage; Circus macrourus is regularly observed during this period. Non-bird biodiversity: The ungulate Gazella dorcas (VU) has been recorded.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Although the site has been declared a National Park, the legislation has not yet been enacted. Poaching of gazelles Gazella and Chlamydotis undulata in particular, though limited, is the main threat to the area.
| 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 |
Additional information
References: Chibani (1980), GTZ (1994), Ozenda (1991).