Al-Abraq Al-Khabari (8206)
Kuwait, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Al-Abraq Al-Khabari
Central coordinates: Latitude: 29.3667, Longitude: 46.9333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 235 to 235
Area of KBA (km2): 1.72361
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Private farmland, formerly well irrigated, on sparsely vegetated desert plateau (altitude 235 m) at northern end of the Ad-Dibdibbah gravel plain which extends southwards into Saudi Arabia; well sheltered by 10 m high windbreaks of Tamarix, and annually planted with a variety of vegetable and grain crops. There is a small area of sparsely irrigated scrub/bushland.
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. An attractive area for migrants, relatively well watched; 168 species have been recorded. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture (60%) | hunting
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 40 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 60 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Excessive and indiscriminate bird hunting and the cessation of irrigation during and ever since the 1990–1991 Iraq conflict are critical problems.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological resource use | Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals | Unintentional effects (species being assessed is not the target) | Ongoing |