Wadi Rabigh springs (8270)
Saudi Arabia, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Wadi Rabigh springs
Central coordinates: Latitude: 22.7950, Longitude: 39.2833
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 75 to 75
Area of KBA (km2): 0.31609
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A natural lake near Haggag in Wadi Rabigh (c.35 km inland), fringed with reeds Phragmites and fed by several permanent freshwater springs. Such natural wetland habitat is unique on the Tihamah north of Jiddah. Fish are abundant. Surrounding land is primarily used for grazing, less so for agriculture. There is some recreational use by picnicers.
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: Breeding species include Ixobrychus minutus (1 pair), Glareola pratincola (1 pair), Sterna albifrons (possibly 1 pair) and Alcedo atthis (possibly 1 pair). Fourteen Ciconia nigra were present in mid-winter 1991-1992. The site is situated along the autumn raptor flyway to the Bab al-Mandab; Buteo buteo is especially common, and raptors roost on the cliffs adjacent to the springs. Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Delineation rationale: 2009-10-12 (BL Secretariat): This wetland is said to be 35 km from coast, near Haggag, but the coordinates in 1994 book are c.70 km inland, far from Haggag, and therefore seem in error; this wadi pool near Haggag seems the most likely option; coordinates have been changed to the centre of the polygon.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | hunting | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 85 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is included in the NCWCD System Plan for Protected Areas. Hunting, damming and water diversion are currently problems on a minor scale. Recreational use, and consequent disturbance, by people from Jiddah, Rabigh and Yanbu is likely to increase, and the area has potential for agricultural development.
| 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 |