Al-Mukha - Al-Khawkhah (8390)
Yemen, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: D1a
Year of last assessment: 1994
National site name: Al-Mukha - Al-Khawkhah
Central coordinates: Latitude: 13.5833, Longitude: 43.2833
System: marine, terrestrial
Elevation (m): 0 to 20
Area of KBA (km2): 99.61764
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
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.
Delineation rationale: Type 1 marine IBA: suitable for the seaward extension approach. Type 2 marine IBA: non-breeding (coastal) congregations. 2009-01-05 (BL Secretariat): the polygon is a 70-km long and approximately 1 km wide strip of coastline; the 1 km width generally comprises 500 m offshore and 500 m inland, with deviations to incorporate features mentioned in the site description of the 1994 IBA book.
Habitats
Land use: fisheries/aquaculture | rangeland/pastureland | urban/industrial/transport
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Marine Coastal/Supratidal | 75 | |
| Marine Neritic | 5 | |
| Artificial - Aquatic | 5 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Forest | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: Threats: There is a proposed windfarm at Al-Mukha which could seriously impact soaring bird migration. There are two pilot projects to construct a tourist village and a resort at both sites; currently an investor is being sought. The coastal beaches are also impacted by floating rubbish, especially plastic.
| Threat level 1 | Threat level 2 | Threat level 3 | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Residential & commercial development | Tourism & recreation areas | Only in the future |