Quriyat - Daghmar (8227)
Oman, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1c
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Quriyat - Daghmar
Central coordinates: Latitude: 23.2333, Longitude: 58.9667
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 5
Area of KBA (km2): 9.06257
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A 12-km stretch of flat coastline from Quriyat south-east to Daghmar, bounded by rocky hills and backed by sabkha with sand-dunes. About five khawrs are scattered along the coarse-sand beach, of which the one on the north side of Quriyat is the largest and has the most extensive mangrove Avicennia. The khawr immediately to the south of Quriyat has the most extensive mudflats.
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. Other breeding species include Vanellus indicus (5–10 pairs). A total of 181 species has been recorded. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Gazella gazella (V).
Delineation rationale: Type 2 marine IBA: non-breeding (coastal) congregations.
Habitats
Land use: urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 85 | |
| Marine Neritic | 5 | |
| Forest | 5 | |
| Desert | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The town of Quriyat is developing and expanding rapidly, potentially threatening the integrity of the site. There is potential for conservation education, tourism and research at the khawrs next to Quriyat, given the site's proximity to Muscat. The southernmost khawr, Khuwayr, is part of the proposed Wadi Hawir National Nature Reserve (3,300 ha), but the most important khawrs around Quriyat and the rest of the coastline are not proposed as parts of Nature Conservation Areas.