Wadi Araba (8200)
Jordan, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2000
National site name: Wadi Araba
Central coordinates: Latitude: 29.9983, Longitude: 35.1425
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): -370 to 150
Area of KBA (km2): 461.84344
Protected area coverage (%): 17.57
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: An extensive 'wilderness' area of desert sand-dunes, gravel outwash plains and mudflats, c.160 km long by up to 25 km wide (widest between Jabal Fidan and Umm Muthla). There is some open bushland of Acacia tortilis, A. raddiana and Ziziphus; Tamarix and Phragmites occur locally in the lowest areas. Main land-use is nomadic pastoralism, with a minor but increasing amount of irrigated cultivation. Large areas are military zones.
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. Eremalauda dunni breeds in large numbers after good rains. Neophron percnopterus, Gyps fulvus, Onychognathus tristramii and Carpodacus synoicus breed in the hills bordering the wadi, adjoining this site. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Canis lupus (V), Felis margarita (rare), Caracal caracal (rare) and Gazella dorcas (V). Reptiles: Varanus griseus (rare).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | hunting | military | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Desert | 43 | |
| Shrubland | 43 | |
| Savanna | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: About 10,000 ha of the Wadi Dana Wildlife Reserve (see site 013) is in Wadi Araba, and is included in that site. Public access to large areas of the wadi is restricted by military zones, thus providing some indirect protection. Overgrazing and over-browsing of the vegetation is a major problem. More local problems are agricultural intensification, salinization of soil due to intensive water-pumping, and tree-cutting.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Small-holder grazing, ranching or farming | Ongoing |
Additional information
Contributors: Data-sheet compiled by Ali Sutari (per Adnan Budieri).