Judean desert (8181)
Israel, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Judean desert
Central coordinates: Latitude: 31.2667, Longitude: 35.2667
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -394 to 500
Area of KBA (km2): 627.05934
Protected area coverage (%): 51.47
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Desert to the west of the Dead Sea, from 400 m below to 500 m above sea-level, extending c.45 km from En Gedi in the north to Mount Sedom in the south. Steep canyons run down to the Dead Sea and cliffs overlook the Rift Valley. There are several oases (e.g. En Gedi), some rocky, steppe and scrubby areas, and a little agriculture (mainly date-palm and Citrus plantations, and melons).
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. The area supports a wide range of species throughout the year. A major raptor and stork migration route passes along the 300-500-m-high cliffs of the Rift Valley, west of the Dead Sea. Large numbers of storks, Pernis apivorus and Accipiter brevipes pass through on migration. Other breeding species at En Gedi include Falco pelegrinoides, Halcyon smyrnensis, Merops orientalis, Ammomanes deserti, Hirundo obsoleta, Cercomela melanura, Oenanthe leucopyga, Nectarinia osea, Corvus ruficollis and C. rhipidurus. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Pipistrellus ariel (very rare), Vulpes cana (K), Canis lupus (V), Caracal caracal (rare), Panthera pardus (rare), Capra nubiana (I) and Gazella gazella (V). Reptiles: Atractaspis engaddensis (endemic). Flora: Lisaea strigosa.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 85 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Most sites of ornithological interest in the area are protected as Nature Reserves (e.g. En Gedi, c.2,800 ha), and good cooperation exists with the Israel Air Force to prevent low flying which may disturb breeding raptors.
Additional information
References: Bahat (1986), Bahat and Leshem (1991), Frumkin (1986), Frumkin and Man (1984).