Zevulun valley (8171)
Israel, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Zevulun valley
Central coordinates: Latitude: 32.8833, Longitude: 35.1000
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 110 to 110
Area of KBA (km2): 59.36192
Protected area coverage (%): 2.04
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An area of the coastal plain north of Haifa, largely developed or agricultural, with fish-ponds and some other small wetlands including the marsh at Ein Afeq (66 ha) c.8 km south of Akko.
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. Ein Afeq is an important winter roosting site for Phalacrocorax pygmeus and holds some breeding herons and egrets. Mishmar Hayam (12 ha), just south of Akko, is a small site with a grove of trees important for many breeding herons and egrets and the largest colony of Plegadis falcinellus in Israel. Up to 65 Circus aeruginosus and 22 Aquila clanga have been present in winter. Non-bird biodiversity: Reptiles: Chalcides guentheri. Flora: Salsola soda.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | nature conservation and research (1%) | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Aquatic | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 90 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Ein Afeq (66 ha) is a Nature Reserve, and the Nature Reserves Authority has proposed the same status for Karei-Na’aman (50 ha, swamp and marsh) and Mishmar Hayam (12 ha), which are both threatened by industrial development. Additionally there is a small Nature Reserve (6 ha) with a spring and rare plant species.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development | Commercial & industrial areas | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Blitzblau (1990b, 1991).