Western Negev (8182)
Israel, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c, A1d, D1a
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Western Negev
Central coordinates: Latitude: 31.1667, Longitude: 34.6667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 50 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 2339.28809
Protected area coverage (%): 12.45
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A mainly desert area extending as far as Be'er Sheva, Ofakim and Nir Oz in the north and to Mash'abim Sands (1,300 ha), Shunra Sands (2,400 ha), Agur Sands (30°53'N 34°26'E, 24,800 ha) and the Nahal Be'erotayim area (c.5,000 ha, close to Nizzana and the Egyptian border) in the south. The region includes low rocky hills, dry riverbeds, steppe, dunes and scrub, and there is some agriculture, mainly in the Ze'elim and Agur Sands area.
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: Other breeders include Burhinus oedicnemus, Cursorius cursor, four species of sandgrouse and Eremophila bilopha. In winter the area supports notable numbers of Circus aeruginosus (50), Aquila clanga (21), Grus grus, Vanellus vanellus and Pterocles alchata (8,000). Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Meriones sacramenti (endemic) and Gazella gazella (V). Reptiles: Testudo kleinmanni (V). Flora: Allium papillare, Garhadiolus angulosus.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | hunting | military | nature conservation and research (1%) | rangeland/pastureland | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Desert | 90 | |
| Grassland | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Some parts of the area are Nature Reserves and a further c.29,000 ha has been proposed. A small part of the Ze'elim and Agur Sands area (600 ha) is protected by the Nature Reserves Authority. Nahal Be'erotayim lies on a traditional major thoroughfare between Israel and Egypt, and there is considerable military activity, with resulting pressure on the desert crust. There is a possibility of the expansion of agriculture.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Annual & perennial non-timber crops | Agro-industry farming | Ongoing |
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Ongoing | |
| Residential & commercial development | Housing & urban areas | Only in the future |
Additional information
References: Allon and Shirihai (1991), Baset (1986), Horin (1983), Levy and Yom-Tov (1991).