Sir Bani Yas Islands (8328)
United Arab Emirates, Middle East

Site overview

KBA status: confirmed

Global KBA criteria: A1b, D1a

Year of last assessment: 1994

National site name: Sir Bani Yas Islands

Central coordinates: Latitude: 24.3833, Longitude: 52.7167

System: marine, terrestrial

Elevation (m): 0 to 5

Area of KBA (km²): 16.79027

KBA classification: Global

Legacy site: Yes

Site details

Site description: Several offshore islands near Sir Bani Yas.

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: The islands are important for breeding Socotra Cormorant and Osprey in winter and for White-cheeked Terns, Bridled Terns and Lesser Crested Terns that breed in summer. Other biodiversity: Occasional Hawsksbill Turtle and Dolphins and Dugongs.

Delineation rationale: Ghasha = 55 ha; Umm Qasr / Umm al Kirkum = 150 ha.

Habitats

Summary of habitats in KBA: Typical desert in terms of vegetation characteristics.

Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | tourism/recreation

IUCN Habitat	Coverage %	Habitat detail
Marine Neritic	48
Marine Intertidal	5
Marine Coastal/Supratidal	48

Threats

Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: On Ghasha there is very high disturbance to birds from people visiting for recreational activities like camping, particularly in winter, and egg collection for White-cheeked Tern in summer. Invasive house mouse also poses a threat.

Threat level 1	Threat level 2	Threat level 3	Timing
Biological resource use	Hunting & collecting terrestrial animals	Intentional use (species being assessed is the target)	Ongoing
Invasive & other problematic species, genes & diseases	Invasive non-native/alien species/diseases	Named species	Ongoing
Human intrusions & disturbance	Recreational activities		Ongoing

Additional information