Augla, Wadi Hauran (8030)
Iraq, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Augla, Wadi Hauran
Central coordinates: Latitude: 33.9167, Longitude: 41.0333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 500 to 500
Area of KBA (km2): 540.17767
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Part of a limestone and sand desert plateau c.30 km west-south-west of Haditha and c.200 km west-north-west of Baghdad. The area contains large, deep wadis surrounded by shallow depressions which are wet from November to March and carry a rich vegetation of Haloxylon, Artemisia and Astragalus. At least three water wells have been drilled, and since c.1960 part of the area has been farmed (dates, orchards, etc.) and there is some livestock grazing by nomads. Annual rainfall is 100-200 mm, mainly in December-February.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard.
Additional biodiversity: See box for key species. Other breeding species (known or assumed) include Cursorius cursor, Pterocles alchata, Eremophila bilopha, Pycnonotus leucotis and Oenanthe isabellina. Grus virgo (12 birds) has occurred on spring passage, and the area may lie on a main migration route for it. Non-bird biodiversity: Reptiles: there is a rich reptile fauna.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 50 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 50 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: No conservation measures are known to have been taken. The site is unprotected and in the early 1980s was apparently not threatened. No conservation measures are known to have been proposed.
Additional information
References: Siman (in prep.).