Hiswat al-Hugayma (8367)
Yemen, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Hiswat al-Hugayma
Central coordinates: Latitude: 12.6833, Longitude: 43.8667
System: terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 100
Area of KBA (km2): 363.32092
Protected area coverage (%): 0.37
KBA classification: Regional
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: Extensive area of gravel plain to the east of Bab al-Mandab, stretching from the coast to foothills, and at least from al-Hajaf to beyond Bir Ras al-Ara.
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.
Additional biodiversity: See table for key species. Breeding species in good numbers include Pterocles lichtensteinii, P. exustus, Alaemon alaudipes, and especially Lanius excubitor which occurs here probably at a higher density than anywhere else in the country. The site's good cover of vegetation and closeness to the Bab al-Mandab make it a very important stop-over point for migrants. Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: unidentified Gazella (rare) are reported to occur in the area. Reptiles: Pristurus ornithocephalus (endemic), P. crucifer (endemic), P. flavipunctatus (endemic), Varanus griseus (rare).
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.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: This area may be the most extensive and intact woodland savanna in Yemen. The vegetation comprises mostly Acacia tortilis woodland with Panicum grassland and Zygophyllum in gravel areas. The Acacia trees are well-developed and relatively dense (up to 11 or more trees per ha). Plant cover is densest in shallow wadis and runnels that drain from the inland hills to the coast, where the grassland is best-developed. The area is not highly populated and is used by the local inhabitants for grazing of livestock, notably goats and camels.
Land use: forestry | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Savanna | 100 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The sparseness of the grass is clearly due to heavy grazing, which probably has a negative impact on the Ardeotis arabs population. Tree-cutting is a problem locally. Ardeotis arabs used to be shot in this area and this may still occur. Fire is a potential threat to the habitat.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Human intrusions & disturbance | Work & other activities | Only in the future |