El Feidja (6963)
Tunisia, Africa
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: El Feidja
Central coordinates: Latitude: 36.5111, Longitude: 8.2994
Elevation (m): 550 to 1150
Area of KBA (km2): 32.36671
Protected area coverage (%): 81.36
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The site is situated in the extreme north-west of Tunisia, 49 km north-west of Jendouba and 17 km north-west of Ghardimaou. El Feidja National Park represents the best-preserved area of mountainous Mediterranean sclerophyllous forest in the Khroumirie. The vegetation is dominated by oak forests of Quercus suber and Q. canariensis and Mediterranean maquis shrubland, with Cistus monspeliensis, Erica arborea, Myrtus communis and Arbutus unedo. The flora is very rich; more than 700 plant species have been recorded. There are several springs and watercourses in the park. Annual rainfall varies between 1,200 mm and 2,000 mm and snow is recorded almost annually.
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) 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. Over 70 bird species have been recorded. Several typical bird species are Palearctic species at the southern limits of their distribution in Tunisia: Columba palumbus, Dendrocopos major, D. minor, Picus vaillantii, Turdus viscivorus, Erithacus rubecula, Certhia brachydactyla, Coccothraustes coccothraustes and Garrulus glandarius cervicalis. Of the many raptors that occur, Hieraaetus pennatus, Milvus migrans, Circaetus gallicus, Accipiter nisus, Falco tinnunculus and F. subbuteo breed regularly. Scolopax rusticola also occurs. Non-bird biodiversity: Some 417 ha of the park are set aside as a special protected reserve for the deer Cervus elaphus barbarus (LR/nt).
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Forest | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: El Feidja was declared a National Park in 1990. Human disturbance and fire are the main threats.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Fire & fire suppression | Increase in fire frequency/intensity | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |