Musandam islands (8215)
Oman, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Musandam islands
Central coordinates: Latitude: 26.2167, Longitude: 56.4833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 70
Area of KBA (km2): 22.4957
Protected area coverage (%): 74.08
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: At least 16 rugged, rather barren islands offshore of the Musandam region (mainly to the north and east), together with their surrounding seas. See 'Conservation issues' for names and areas.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance that meets the thresholds for at least one criterion described in the Global Standard for the Identification of KBAs.
Additional biodiversity: See box for key species. Jazirat Umm al Fayyarin is the most important seabird breeding island in the Musandam region, but six of the other islands add significantly to the diversity of breeding seabirds covered by the proposed system of Nature Conservation Areas. Notable concentrations of feeding seabirds also occur in the rich seas offshore during migration seasons and in winter. Sterna anaethetus nests in important numbers on Jazirat Umm al Fayyarin, and other breeding species include Phaethon aethereus (confirmed or suspected on all of the islands; daily max. 100 birds, outside breeding season in January), Egretta gularis (20 pairs, on Jazirat Lima), Pandion haliaetus (c.30 pairs on all Musandam islands; 8–9 pairs on the seven most important breeding seabird islands), Falco concolor (2 pairs) and abundant Apus pallidus. Notable passage migrants include Larus ridibundus (abundant in winter) and Larus genei (min. 450, November). Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach. Type 2 marine IBA: non-breeding (coastal) congregations.
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 48 | |
| Marine Neritic | 48 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: There are (or were) feral goats on Bu Rashid (Tawakkul). The speed and volume of small boat traffic apparently disturbs feeding flocks of Phalacrocorax nigrogularis significantly. Oil pollution from tanker washings is frequent despite the efforts of Coastguards to prevent violation of the international maritime legislation to which Oman is a signatory; the site lies next to a major tanker lane. Six of the seven most important islands for breeding birds are proposed National Nature Reserves (totalling 630 ha), as follows (proposed areas include sea and sublittoral habitat 200 m beyond low water mark): Jazirat Abu Sir (Jazirat Fujar, 150 ha), Jazirat al Khayl (Jazirat Kun, 300 ha), Bu Rashid (Tawakkul, As Suwayq, 50 ha), Jazirat as Salamah (Jazirat Quwayn al Kabir, 60 ha), Fanaku (20 ha) and Jazirat Umm al Fayyarin (50 ha). The seventh such island, Jazirat Lima (c.40 ha), is not part of a proposed Nature Conservation Area.