Judean foothills (8179)
Israel, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c, B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Judean foothills
Central coordinates: Latitude: 31.7500, Longitude: 34.9167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 100 to 300
Area of KBA (km2): 1072.09926
Protected area coverage (%): 8.78
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Low hills and cultivated land on the western slopes of the Judean mountains, 100-300 m above sea-level. The largest towns within this area are Kiryat Gat, Rehovot and Bet Shemesh. There are water reservoirs and sewage ponds.
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: The wetlands attract wintering waterfowl. A raptor migration route passes over the area. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Canis lupus (V) and Gazella gazella (V).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | hunting | urban/industrial/transport | water management
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 1 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 20 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 74 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: None known to BirdLife International.