Mahazat as-Sayd (8271)
Saudi Arabia, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: A1a, A1c
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Mahazat as-Sayd
Central coordinates: Latitude: 22.2500, Longitude: 41.8333
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 900 to 1100
Area of KBA (km2): 2247.67681
Protected area coverage (%): 99.50
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A fairly level, sandy plain at 900-1,100 m with a few rock outcrops, 175 km north-east of Taif and south of al-Muwayh. Rainfall in 1992 was 96 mm, mainly in August, and temporary pools can form. Following fencing, the site is moderately to well vegetated, in parts with Acacia tortilis, Indigofera and Salsola as dominant shrubs/trees; dense grass (e.g. Panicum) often covers sandier areas, and some dry shallow wadis have large Maerua trees.
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. There is a diverse and, at times, abundant community of breeding larks, including Eremalauda dunni. Torgos tracheliotus breeds, and the largest non-breeding concentrations in Arabia have been recorded (see box). The reserve will probably be the first release site for the reintroduction of Struthio camelus. About 115 species have been recorded. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Felis margarita (K) and Vulpes rueppelli (K); the reserve is a key reintroduction site for Oryx leucoryx (E) and Gazella subgutturosa (rare).
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%)
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Savanna | 5 | |
| Desert | 90 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is an NCWCD reserve, completely fenced in 1989, and there are no threats to it, although reintroduction of Oryx, Gazella and Chlamydotis undulata have priority over general conservation of wild birds. School parties visit regularly, and increased supervised access by the public is likely in future.
Additional information
References: Newton and Newton (1993), Newton and Shobrak (1993), Weigeldt and Schulz (1992).