Ajloun (8189)
Jordan, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Ajloun
Central coordinates: Latitude: 32.4053, Longitude: 35.7690
Elevation (m): 500 to 900
Area of KBA (km2): 151.83277
Protected area coverage (%): 5.58
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Hill country in the Jerash-Ajlun mountains between 500 and 900 m with some steep slopes, dominated by a dense Mediterranean woodland of evergreen Quercus and Pistacia, with an understorey of Arbutus, Juniperus, Crataegus, Prunus, Rhamnus and Ceratonia. The reserve is part of the largest remaining tract of undisturbed oak woodland in the country, and is closely surrounded by villages and farmland; there are scattered patches of cultivation in the area (grapes, olives, wheat, barley).
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that was identified using previously established criteria and thresholds for the identification of Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) and for which available data indicate that it does not meet global KBA criteria and thresholds set out in the Global Standard. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Mediterranean Hotspot (2017). Taxonomy, nomenclature and global threat category follow the 2016 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: See box for key species. A representative assemblage of woodland species characteristic of the hills of the Mediterranean north-west. Other breeding species include Dendrocopos syriacus and Parus caeruleus (probably; one record of 8+, November). Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: re-introduction of Capreolus capreolus is ongoing, and is planned for Dama mesopotamica (E). Flora: re-introduction of Iris nigricans (rare) is planned.
Delineation rationale: 2017-11-08 (BL Secretariat): site area has been expanded from 1300 ha (1994 IBA) to 11,700 ha (2000 IBA) and then to 21,000 ha (2010 KBA; incorporates Ajlun IPA).
Habitats
Land use: forestry | hunting | nature conservation and research (100%) | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Forest | 95 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The reserve was established in 1988, and now has a warden and has been completely fenced. Fires due to negligence or recreation are a critical threat. Illegal tree-cutting and overgrazing are local threats. Formerly, encroachment by cultivation and heavy grazing of the woodland understorey by livestock were major problems, and many villagers hunted birds in the woodland (especially Alectoris chukar and Streptopelia turtur), but these practices have now been stopped or very much reduced, apart from hunting of Streptopelia turtur.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Information compiled by J. al-Joundi & A. Budieri.