Northern Arava valley (8183)
Israel, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Northern Arava valley
Central coordinates: Latitude: 30.8833, Longitude: 35.3167
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): -370 to -180
Area of KBA (km2): 452.13771
Protected area coverage (%): 49.18
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: The area along the Rift Valley south of the Dead Sea from the Ne'ot Hakikar Nature Reserve (10 km south of Sedom, 645 ha) south to the Hazeva and Shezaf Nature Reserve (34 km south of Sedom, 1,400 ha). A flat desert area with saltflats (in the north) and low hills, dissected by wide wadis. Vegetation comprises scattered open woodland of Acacia raddiana and A. tortilis in the wadis, and scrub of Tamarix, Prosopis, Atriplex halimus, Suaeda monoecia and Alhagi maurorum. There is a little agriculture.
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: Large numbers of storks, raptors and Grus grus occur on passage, especially in the northern part of the site. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Pipistrellus bodenheimeri (rare endemic), Canis lupus (V), Felis margarita (rare), Caracal caracal (rare), Panthera pardus (rare), Gazella gazella (V) and G. dorcas (V). Reptiles: Varanus griseus (rare) and Uromastyx aegyptius (rare). Flora: Isatis microcarpa, Convolvulus fatmensis and Hippocrepis constricta.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | nature conservation and research (14%) | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Savanna | 5 | |
| Desert | 80 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Two established Nature Reserves account for 2,045 ha of the site. Parts of the area are threatened by conversion to agriculture and saltpans, and the desert crust has recently become subject to damage by all-terrain vehicles.
| 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 |
Additional information
References: Afik (1984), Bahat and Leshem (1991), Frumkin and Man (1984).