Jabal al-Nabi Shu'ayb (8341)
Yemen, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2011
National site name: Jabal al-Nabi Shu'ayb
Central coordinates: Latitude: 15.2780, Longitude: 43.9740
System: freshwater, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 3000 to 3666
Area of KBA (km2): 56.99333
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Highest mountain in Arabia; South West of Sana’a.
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. 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 (those with particularly restricted ranges are tagged with Irr1, i.e. meeting the KBA Irreplaceability 1 criterion) and may be categorised as globally threatened once assessed (thus meeting the KBA Vulnerability criterion), based on existing regional or national Red List assessments: Cichorium bottae, Crepis nabischwaibica (Irr1), Delosperma harazianum, Dianthus uniflorus, Festuca cryptantha, Scutellaria arabica, Senecio sumarae, Stachys yemenensis, Swertia woodii, Thymus laevigatus.
Additional biodiversity: This site needs a full survey and the bird data below is considered incomplete. It is highly likely that several other range-restricted and/or endemic species occur.
Delineation rationale: 2009-01-05 (BL Secretariat): the polygon is defined very roughly, according to the coordinates, site area and site description (altitude range, habitats and other features discernible in Google Earth), as given in the 1994 IBA book. 2013-07-10 (BL Secretariat): coordinates adjusted and site extent of 6000 ha has been updated to 5700 ha (as measured in GIS from the most recent boundary polygon [created by Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh], rounded to nearest 10%).
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Grassland | 48 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 48 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats: First a communication radar station on the peak of the mountain protects the upper areas as entry for tourists is forbidden. However elsewhere on this site there has been habitat fragmentation through new roads and associated infrastructure; also pollution and disturbance as it attracts many visitors from nearby Sana’a.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Recreational activities | Ongoing |