Northern lower Jordan valley (8177)
Israel, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Northern lower Jordan valley
Central coordinates: Latitude: 32.4167, Longitude: 35.5500
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -300 to -209
Area of KBA (km2): 112.60546
Protected area coverage (%): 11.52
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The Jordan valley from Lake Kinneret to Tirat Zvi, west of the Jordan river. The highest point of the site is 209 m below sea-level. Most of the area is cultivated fields, date-palm plantations and fish-ponds. Fish-ponds are mainly located near Kefar Ruppin (c.3 km north-east of Tirat Zvi), Afikim and Bet Zera.
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: Kefar Ruppin is an important breeding site for herons and egrets. Other notable wintering species include Circus aeruginosus (10-13) and during migration this species is also common (daily max. 75). Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Caracal caracal (rare).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | fisheries/aquaculture | military | nature conservation and research (4%) | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 5 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 85 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: A few of the sites of ornithological interest are protected as Nature Reserves. The Kefar Ruppin fish-ponds (c.260 ha) are protected partly by the Nature Reserves Authority but mainly by cooperation between the operators and the Israel Ornithological Center. There are local threats from agricultural intensification, grazing and military activity.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Marine & freshwater aquaculture | Industrial aquaculture | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing |