Raydah escarpment (8282)
Saudi Arabia, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Raydah escarpment
Central coordinates: Latitude: 18.1710, Longitude: 42.4110
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 1700 to 2850
Area of KBA (km2): 26.80346
Protected area coverage (%): 98.61
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Lying c.15 km west of Abha, the site is a very steep west-facing slope with crags, falling from 2,700 to 1,600 m in less than 3 km. The soil is very thin. There are permanent streams and the climate is generally cool and wet, the area being frequently cloud-covered. The escarpment supports a more-or-less intact forest, predominantly Juniperus excelsa, with Olea europea on upper and north-facing slopes and more deciduous trees (Nuxia, Ficus, Acacia) lower down and in valleys and gullies. The bottom third and south-facing slopes are often dominated by Buddleja and by tree aloes Aloe sabaea and other succulents. Bee-keeping is a common human activity and there is moderate to heavy use of the area for recreation.
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) KBA identified in the process of compiling the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the East Afromontane Hotspot. Species taxonomy and threat category was based on IUCN Red List 2010-4. The site holds a significant population of the following plant species which, although not yet Red-List-assessed at the global level, are endemic to the Hotspot and may be categorised as globally threatened once assessed (thus meeting the KBA Vulnerability criterion), based on existing regional or national Red List assessments: Albuca pendula, Aloe edentata, Aloe sabaea, Centaurothamnus maximus, Cichorium bottae, Huernia saudi-arabica.
Additional biodiversity: Possibly the most important compact site in Saudi Arabia for south-west Arabian endemic, and other, woodland species. See box for key species. Other breeding species include Accipiter badius (1-2 pairs), Aquila verreauxii, Columba arquatrix (probable), Streptopelia lugens, Treron waalia, Otus scops pamelae, Monticola rufocinereus, Phylloscopus umbrovirens, Terpsiphone viridis, Zosterops abyssinicus and Pica pica asirensis. There may be a considerable raptor passage through the area, and many Sylvia (especially S. atricapilla) stop off on migration. Many warblers winter, especially Phylloscopus collybita. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Papio hamadryas (endemic), Caracal caracal (rare) and Canis lupus (V).
Delineation rationale: 2009-10-12 (BL Secretariat): Coordinates shifted to centre of polygon. 2010-01-26 (BL Secretariat): Area increased from 900 to 1200 ha, and altitudes adjusted, following Newton and Newton (1996). 2013-07-10 (BL Secretariat): coordinates adjusted and site extent of 1200 ha has been updated to 2600 ha (as measured in GIS from the most recent boundary polygon [created by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh], rounded to nearest 10%).
Habitats
Land use: nature conservation and research (100%) | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 1 | |
| Forest | 49 | |
| Shrubland | 49 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 1 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The site is an established NCWCD Special Nature Reserve with two rangers, but there is no control over livestock grazing, vehicular access and road maintenance. A road recently bulldozed along the steep slope requires frequent clearance due to continuing rock fall, and spoil from this has destroyed large areas of forest. Soil-water retention is probably reduced by the road, and most Juniperus are in poor condition. A small, previously abandoned farm within the reserve has been reoccupied, and this may encourage illegal agricultural development.
Additional information
References: Jennings et al. (1988), Symens (1990).
Contributors: Data-sheet compiled by Dr Stephen F. Newton.