Petra (8199)
Jordan, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Petra
Central coordinates: Latitude: 30.3202, Longitude: 35.4227
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 900 to 1250
Area of KBA (km2): 120.42088
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: High-relief, rocky, sandstone mountains (700-1,450 m) overlooking Wadi Araba, on the western edge of the Sharrah Mountains, with high cliffs, caves and numerous gorges and dry wadis which flow down to Wadi Araba during storms. Rain falls mainly in winter (100-300 mm; average 180 mm p.a.), when there can be snow; there are two springs. Vegetation-types include Artemisia steppe on rocky plateaus, typical Saharo-Arabian desert wadi-spread with Acacia and Calotropis, lush growth at springs and remnants of formerly more extensive Mediterranean Quercus-Juniperus woodland on mountain slopes; more than 200 plant species have been recorded. Petra is a world-famous antiquities site, and tourism is the major land-use in the National Park; however nomadic pastoralists also graze livestock in the wider area.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: See box for key species. An unusually diverse assemblage of at least 50 breeding or probably breeding species of highly mixed biogeographical origins, including Circaetus gallicus (possibly), Aquila chrysaetos (possibly), Buteo rufinus, Hieraaetus fasciatus, Falco pelegrinoides, Alectoris chukar, Anthus similis (pre-1983), Oenanthe lugens, Scotocerca inquieta, Nectarinia osea, Lanius nubicus, Petronia petronia, Emberiza caesia (possibly) and Emberiza striolata. There is an important raptor migration in spring, especially by Pernis apivorus (650, May), Milvus migrans (200, April) and Buteo buteo (2,000+, April); Sylvia curruca (90, April) and Sylvia atricapilla (100, April) are also very common spring migrants. Non-bird biodiversity: Flora: Iris petrana (endemic), Verbascum transjordanicum (endemic), Cupressus sempervirens (experiencing cutting pressure).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | hunting | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation (40%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 28 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Grassland | 28 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 28 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Over-exploitation by tourism of the core antiquities area (6,500 ha) within the National Park is potentially a threat, through over-disturbance of wildlife and damage to desert by vehicles. Other, similar areas of habitat are inaccessible and will presumably remain more pristine. Up until 1987 populations of birds of prey and gamebirds were in a reduced state due to (formerly?) heavy hunting. Bedouin flocks exert very heavy grazing pressure on the vegetation.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Wittenberg (1987).
Contributors: Data-sheet compiled by Ian J. Andrews.