Abd al-Kuri (Socotra) (8388)
Yemen, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Abd al-Kuri (Socotra)
Central coordinates: Latitude: 12.1833, Longitude: 52.2167
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 500
Area of KBA (km2): 144.17485
Protected area coverage (%): 95.20
KBA classification: Global/Regional TBD
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: A large island in the Gulf of Aden to the west of Socotra, c.32 km long, less than 5 km wide and rising to c.570 m, with c.90 km of shoreline.
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)
Additional biodiversity: See table for key species. There are unspecified seabirds, probably breeding. It is said that the island is visited by many small birds on summer migration from May to August. Non-bird biodiversity: Reptiles: Hemidactylus forbesii, H. oxyrhinus, Pristurus abdelkuri (all endemic). Flora: there are at least ten endemic species.
Delineation rationale: 2009-01-05 (BL Secretariat): the polygon follows the coast of the island, extending c. 150 m offshore.
Habitats
Summary of habitats in KBA: Vegetation is much sparser than on Socotra, dominated by low, open shrubland and dwarf-herb communities containing Euphorbia. There is a diminishing permanent human population supported by brackish water only; the main human activities are grazing livestock (goats) and fishing.
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | rangeland/pastureland
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Shrubland | 85 | |
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 5 | |
| Marine Neritic | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Seabirds are taken for food by local people. No other information is available on current problems or potential threats. Updates. Threats: Rats and possibly cats, but not assessed. Oil spillage would be a threat to nesting seabirds.
Additional information
Contributors: Data-sheets compiled by Francine Stone (assisted by Dr A. Miller and Dr M. Morris) and M. I. Evans.