Ad-Doha Nature Reserve (8205)
Kuwait, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Ad-Doha Nature Reserve
Central coordinates: Latitude: 29.3667, Longitude: 47.8167
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 10
Area of KBA (km2): 2.61208
Protected area coverage (%): 86.73
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A sandy sabkhah, some of which is flooded by exceptional tides, with salt-tolerant vegetation; associated intertidal mudflats are considered as part of site 005. Drainage water from a few nearby private chalets or an Entertainment Park flows across part of the site and supports 0.5 ha of Phragmites reedbed. The reserve is bisected by a public lane to the chalets, and within it there is also a major outlet for seawater coolant used by Doha power-stations. Previously the site was used at weekends for picnics and recreation.
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.
Additional biodiversity: See box for key species. The salt-tolerant vegetation provides a favoured roost site for waders, especially in winter and during migration seasons. Important January counts include Ardea cinerea (90), Recurvirostra avosetta (85) and Larus genei (900). About 70 species have been recorded; the site is not well-watched by local standards. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%) | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 6 | |
| Marine Intertidal | 31 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 63 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The entire reserve is fenced on the landward sides but some sections of fencing are broken at present and gates are permanently open. Some protection from hunters is provided on the seaward side by barbed wire of Iraqi defences, which remain in place.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural system modifications | Dams & water management/use | Abstraction of surface water (unknown use) | Ongoing |