Khawr Shinas and Khawr Liwa (8218)
Oman, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Khawr Shinas and Khawr Liwa
Central coordinates: Latitude: 24.6500, Longitude: 56.5167
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 29.10634
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Two extensive tidal inlets on the northern Batinah coast, which support extensive mangrove Avicennia, and are near the towns of Shinas and Liwa respectively.
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 endangered subspecies Todirhamphus chloris kalbaensis occurs irregularly in the mangrove as a non-breeder. Hippolais rama probably breeds. Roosting Larus ichthyaetus (max. 103), L. ridibundus and L. cachinnans/L. argentatus occur at the khawrs and on nearby beaches in winter. A total of 118 species has been recorded. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Delineation rationale: Type 2 marine IBA: non-breeding (coastal) congregations.
Habitats
Land use: rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Neritic | 5 | |
| Forest | 48 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 48 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Despite the efforts of the local municipality, garbage dumping still occurs in some khawrs. The area is covered by two proposed Nature Conservation Areas: Khawr Shinas National Nature Reserve (2,100 ha) and Khawr Nabr National Nature Reserve (2,300 ha).