Jiddat al Harasis (8233)
Oman, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Jiddat al Harasis
Central coordinates: Latitude: 19.7500, Longitude: 56.5000
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 20 to 300
Area of KBA (km2): 26742.20661
Protected area coverage (%): 10.62
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A limestone plateau with sandy depressions, sand/gravel plains, karst, sand-dunes, hills and escarpments, ranging from 20 to 200 m elevation. There are occasional trees and bushes of Acacia ehrenbergiana, Acacia tortilis and Prosopis cineraria, but the vegetation consists mainly of sparse, low shrubs and ephemeral grasses. The area is relatively well-vegetated, given the low average annual rainfall, due to regular condensation of fog moisture blowing in off the sea. Al Huqf is a low, discontinuous escarpment marking the boundary between the Jiddat al Harasis and the depression of sabkha and low hills which continues eastward to the coast; water seepages occur along it. Al Huqf is an important refuge for animals, permitting the penetration far northward of some species otherwise limited to Dhofar. The main land-use is nomadic pastoralism. There are major oilfields south-west of the area.
Rationale for qualifying as KBA: This site qualifies as a Key Biodiversity Area of international significance because it meets one or more previously established criteria and thresholds for identifying sites of biodiversity importance (including Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas, Alliance for Zero Extinction sites, and Key Biodiversity Areas)
Additional biodiversity: See box for key species. A diverse assemblage of desert breeding birds, including Aquila chrysaetos, Chlamydotis undulata, Burhinus capensis, Pterocles coronatus, P. exustus, Tyto alba, Athene noctua, Eremopterix nigriceps, Eremalauda dunni, Ammomanes cincturus and Alaemon alaudipes. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Canis lupus (V), Caracal caracal (rare), Capra nubiana (I), Gazella gazella (V), G. subgutturosa (rare) and Oryx leucoryx (re-introduced). Reptiles: the endemic lizard Uromastyx thomasi occurs. Flora: several plants endemic to Oman are virtually restricted to this site.
Delineation rationale: 2010-01-18 (BL Secretariat): Coordinates adjusted to match the gazetteer in: Eriksen, J. and Sargeant, D. E. (2000) Oman bird list, edition 5. Muscat: Oman Bird Records Committee (privately published).
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%) | rangeland/pastureland (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The White Oryx Project, based at Jaaluni since 1979, is operated by the Office of the Adviser for Conservation of the Environment of the Diwan of Royal Court. Oryx leucoryx has been successfully reintroduced at this site and is now breeding freely in the wild; the oryx are guarded by patrols of rangers recruited from the local people, which gives protection to bird populations. The area is a proposed National Nature Reserve and is part of the proposed natural World Heritage Site (see also sites 021 and 023).
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & aquaculture | Livestock farming & ranching | Nomadic grazing | Ongoing |
| Energy production & mining | Oil & gas drilling | Only in the future |