Jerusalem wilderness (9637)
Palestinian Authority Territories, Middle East
Site overview
KBA status: confirmed
Global KBA criteria: B1, D1a
Year of last assessment: 2016
National site name: Jerusalem wilderness
Central coordinates: Latitude: 31.7028, Longitude: 35.3349
Elevation (m): 250 to 600
Area of KBA (km2): 216.24098
Protected area coverage (%): 48.05
KBA classification: Global
Legacy site: Yes
Site details
Site description: It is a protectoral area and, there are Bedouin in this area come from Arab Al Kina'n and Al Rashida family. They from area to another asking form water and grass, some of them stay at this area by all the year, some become citizens in this area and farmers. This area extents from south east of Bethlehem to the regions of the south of Hebron at which it reaches to the mount that surrounding the Dead Sea , there are some vallies interposed this area like Ra'as Al Hemar that is considered as one of the most beautiful area and it is a part of Wadi Kretoon / south east of Bethlehem. It has some Byzantium and Roman monasteries that are built in the past era and there are still some of mosaics in some agrologic areas. It can be reached by many ways either by Bethlehem district or from Tquo' village and then pass to Arab Al Asakra, or through Wadi Kretoon region, or from the south side of the Dead Sea region and go up to the high mountain and then to this wonderful area. This area is contact with Ain Gedi region from the southern eastern part region of the West Bank.
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. KBA identified in the CEPF Ecosystem Profile of the Mediterranean Hotspot (2017). Taxonomy, nomenclature and global threat category follow the 2016 IUCN Red List.
Additional biodiversity: The large raptors especially the Egyptian Vulture is one of the birds in this region and this bird stay in this area and it breeds in it. There is also the Griffon Vulture that is found in the western site of Al Fashkha and on the Dead Sea. Non-bird biodiversity: The most important animals of this are Capra ibex, Gazella, Rocky Hyrax, Fox, Hyeana.
Habitats
Land use: agriculture | rangeland/pastureland | tourism/recreation
| IUCN Habitat | Coverage % | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Areas(e.g., inland cliffs, mountain peaks) | 5 | |
| Grassland | 5 | |
| Shrubland | 5 | |
| Artificial - Terrestrial | 5 | |
| Desert | 75 | |
| Wetlands(Inland) | 5 |
Threats
Summary of threats to biodiversity at KBA: The training of the Israeli soldiers by all the year specially the use of the heavy machines. The illegal grazing for the plant of this area where the plant cover is available. The illegal hunting, this region is considered as an area, which is rich of biodiversity. The irregular tourism that affect on the wild and bird life.