Qarnain Island (8325)
United Arab Emirates, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Qarnain Island
Central coordinates: Latitude: 24.9333, Longitude: 52.8500
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 50
Area of KBA (km2): 11.42523
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A 2-km-long island in the southern Arabian Gulf between Qatar and the UAE, 180 km west-north-west of Abu Dhabi city. It is mostly composed of sabkhah and fairly flat sand, and there are two rocky peaks about 50 m high at the north end, with an outer shelf of limestone rock around the edge of the island, as well as patchy coral reef offshore. The low and level southern area of blown shell-sand is relatively well-vegetated (low shrubs of Suaeda and Salsola) but this becomes sparse in the undulating hillocks of the north due to the barren subsoil and the former presence of a Phalacrocorax nigrogularis roost/colony. There is some habitation with a small permanent population, including a desalination plant and a navigation station.
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: A very important seabird breeding site: see box for key species (data are from 1984). Other breeding species include Sterna bergii (100 pairs) and Pandion haliaetus (one pair). Non-bird biodiversity: Reptiles: important for the breeding sea-turtles Chelonia mydas (E), Caretta caretta (V) and Eretmochelys imbricata (E).
Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | tourism/recreation | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Intertidal | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 48 | |
| Marine Neritic | 48 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The island's owners are keen to ensure the survival of terns, Phaethon aethereus and sea-turtles. The present level of development is not injurious to bird populations, although the Phalacrocorax nigrogularis colony has been displaced. Some harvesting of Larus hemprichii eggs by fishermen occurs but this is not a particular problem at the present level. Rats Rattus and mice Mus musculus are now established, though no evidence of feral cats Felis was found in May 1993. Unrestricted driving, off established tracks, is damaging the soil and vegetation. A report including proposals for conservation was submitted to the island's owner in 1989 (Hellyer 1989).
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases | Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases | Named species | Ongoing |
Additional information
References: Foxall (1985), Hellyer (1989), Richardson (1989).