A Directory of Wetlands in the Middle East

QATAR

INTRODUCTION

by Abdul Aziz Al-Midfa and Robert Nation

[go to site descriptions]

Area: 11,437 sq.km.

Population: 368,000 (1990).

The peninsula of Qatar projects northward for about 160 km into the western part of the Arabian Gulf and has a maximum width of 90 km. It is bounded on the south by Saudi Arabia. The population of 368,000 (1990) is concentrated in the capital city of Doha and a few smaller towns.

The land surface, which covers some 11,437 sq.km, is predominantly low-lying semi-desert, with low hills rising to a maximum elevation of 103 m in the Dukhan Heights in the west, and extensive sand dunes in the southeast. Vegetation is sparse, consisting of acacias and other scrub desert communities concentrated mostly in depressions and small wadis. Particularly in the north, pumped groundwater supports scattered farms with trees and limited crops. Elsewhere, the principal land-use activity is livestock grazing. Almost all of the interior of the peninsula has been modified or degraded by human activity. Belts of sabkha or salt flats surround much of the indented coastline, while offshore there are several small islands and numerous coral reefs and sandy shoals. The coastal waters are fairly shallow, with an average depth of less than 20 m and a relatively high salinity. These waters were not affected by any major oil slicks during the Gulf War of 1991.

Qatar has a desert climate with temperatures ranging from an average of 23C in winter to 35C in summer, when peaks of 49C have been recorded. The humidity is exceptionally high, often reaching 90% in summer. Total annual rainfall is low and seldom exceeds 75 mm. Most of this rainfall occurs during the winter months, normally in the form of heavy thunderstorms. The prevailing winds are from the northwest and southeast.

Summary of Wetland Situation

Almost all of Qatar's wetlands are marine and coastal. Around the coast there are extensive coral reefs and seagrass beds, and one notable area of mangroves at Al-Dhakira on the east coast. Only one species of mangrove, the Black Mangrove Avicennia marina, is present. Mangrove is also being planted by the Government, but only in small local areas. Parts of the low, rocky coast have broad intertidal flats of sand or mud, but the biological productivity of these appears to be relatively low except in certain spots, mostly on the more sheltered east coast. Extensive sabkha occurs across the base of the peninsula, and also near Zubarah in the northwest, around khors on the east and west coast, and around and south of Umm Said in the southeast. Coral reefs are shallow and of low density, but are well developed along the east coast. They are the central part of a long and broad line of reefs which extend from Bahrain down the east coast of Qatar and along the coast of the United Arab Emirates (UNEP/IUCN, 1988).

The few permanent wetlands inland are man-made, and include small water storage reservoirs, spillage from irrigation systems, sewage treatment ponds and small bodies of water created by effluent waste water from populated areas. Such artificial wetlands are locally important for invertebrate and bird diversity. The only natural surface water is in low-lying areas flooded after heavy rain, and is highly ephemeral.

Socotra Cormorants Phalacrocorax nigrogularis, Western Reef Egrets Egretta gularis and several species of terns Sterna spp. breed on some of the offshore islands, possibly in internationally significant numbers, but the colonies have never been properly surveyed (Gallagher et al., 1984). Outside the breeding season, the coastal zone supports internationally important numbers of P. nigrogularis, along with substantial numbers of a wide variety of shorebirds, gulls and terns (Evans, 1994). Many species of waterbirds have been recorded at the man-made freshwater wetlands inland, especially during the migration seasons and in winter, and several species have bred, but numbers are generally low. Hawksbill Turtles Eretmochelys imbricata nest on at least one offshore island, but numbers are reportedly very low (UNEP/IUCN, 1988).

A national marine and coastal zone development and protection plan has been proposed for the marine resources, to control marine waste disposal, marine mining and transportation, coastal land use and marine fauna and flora resources (UNEP, 1984; cited in IUCN, 1992). Initial recommendations for protected area designation were made in 1986 for the investigation of practical arrangements for protecting sensitive coastal resources such as the mangroves at Al-Dhakira (Environmental Resources Ltd., 1986; cited in IUCN, 1992).

The recent inventory of Important Bird Areas in the Middle East, sponsored by BirdLife International, identified five sites of special importance for bird conservation in Qatar (Evans, 1994). All five are coastal, comprising three offshore islands important for breeding seabirds, and two inter-tidal areas along the mainland coast important for feeding and roosting waterbirds. One of the offshore islands, Al-Aliyah, and the two inter-tidal areas, Al Dhakira Mangroves and Khor al-Udeid, are included in the present inventory as important wetlands, along with two artificial freshwater wetlands not included in the IBA report. The IBA report stressed that much of Qatar's coastline remains poorly known, and highlighted the need for further investigation of coastal wetlands on the west coast of Qatar north of Dukhan.

Wetland Research

The Scientific and Applied Research Centre of Qatar University supports research on the flora and fauna of the country. However, virtually no work has been carried out on the wetlands of Qatar except for general avifaunal surveys by resident and visiting ornithologists. Mid-winter waterfowl counts have been undertaken annually since the winter of 1990/91 as part of the IWRB/AWB Asian Waterfowl Census. The counts, which cover a total of eight sites, have been made by members of the Qatar Natural History Group in collaboration with the Environment Protection Council.

Wetland Area Legislation

Environmental policy and legislation have recently been summarized by IUCN (1992). Administration of flora, soils and fauna falls within the responsibility of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture. There is no national wetlands policy or any specific legislation relating to wetlands. However, there are laws restricting the use of pesticides and covering protection and utilisation of living sea resources. The Fisheries Department in the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture enforces fishing regulations. Responsibility for nature conservation issues rests with the Environment Protection Committee (EPC), which was established in 1981 and is attached to the Cabinet. The EPC has some power to develop environmental policy and to draft legislation and regulations, to conduct environmental assessments and monitoring, to approve development projects, and to educate the public.

At international level, Qatar is a member of ROPME, the Regional Organisation for Protection of the Marine Environment. It is a contracting party to the World Heritage Convention, but has not designated any natural World Heritage Sites. It has signed, but not ratified, the Biodiversity Convention, and is a party to the Regional Convention for Cooperation on the Protection of the Marine Environment from Pollution, and to the Action Plan for the Protection and Development of the Marine Environment and Coastal Areas.

Wetland Area Administration

No wetlands, or indeed any other natural areas, are specifically protected for nature conservation. The only protected areas as such are small game reserves and breeding stations in desert areas, set up by state authorities and by members of the ruling family to maintain stocks of large mammals such as oryx and gazelle (IUCN, 1992). However, Khor al-Udeid, a deep inlet from the sea on the southeast coast, was declared a water sanctuary by Ministerial Decree No.78 of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture in November 1993. Under this status, all commercial fishing is banned.

Organizations involved with Wetlands

Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture

Environmental Protection Committee

Scientific and Applied Research Centre (SARC), Qatar University

Qatar Natural History Group

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WETLANDS

Site descriptions compiled by Abdul Aziz Al-Midfa and Robert Nation.

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Al-Dhakira (Adh Dhakhirah) Mangrove (1)

Location: 2545'N, 5134'E; on the east coast of the Qatar Peninsula, immediately to the north and east of the small town of Al-Dhakira and 7 km north of the municipality of Al Khor.

Area: 3,000 ha.

Altitude: Sea level.

Overview: A sheltered group of saltwater bays with dense stands of mangrove, broad mudflats and saltmarsh vegetation. Possibly an important spawning and nursery area for economically valuable fish and shrimp stocks. The site is important for wintering and passage waterbirds, including ducks and Greater Flamingos Phoenicopterus ruber.

Physical features: A roughly triangular group of three bays and small islands protected from the open Arabian Gulf to the east by a spit, and extending north for about 8 km from the village of Al-Dhakira to a point where the protective spit joins the main coastline. Longshore drift is from north to south. Part of the area (1,000 ha or less) is covered by mangroves; broad mudflats are exposed at low tide, and there are some sandy beaches. Tidal variation is normally less than two metres. The average annual rainfall in this area is about 60 mm.

Ecological features: The mangrove area consists of pure dense stands of Black Mangrove Avicennia marina. Arthrocnemum glaucum and other halophytes occur on higher ground.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: The site has no formal protection, although it has been protected with booms during major oil spills in the past. It has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: The mangroves should be fenced against camel grazing.

Land use: There is some artisanal fishing in the mangroves, and some recreational boating occurs in the general area. Camels, goats and sheep are allowed to graze in the saltmarsh and mangroves, but this is not as yet intensive. The town of Al-Dhakira extends along the southern edge of the wetland.

Possible changes in land use: Future expansion of Al-Dhakira town.

Disturbances and threats: The grazing of mangroves by camels is a problem locally, and some hunting of waterfowl has been reported. Land reclamation for housing and recreation may become a problem in the future as the town of Al-Dhakira grows to support a new industrial town to the north. Oil spills are always a threat, but the topography of the site provides fairly good protection.

Hydrological and biophysical values: Possibly an important spawning and nursery area for economically valuable fish and shrimp stocks.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: The site has not yet been thoroughly surveyed, but is known to be important for passage and wintering waterfowl including Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia (maximum 22), Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber (up to several hundreds), various ducks, and a wide variety of shorebirds, gulls and terns. Annual mid-winter waterfowl censuses since January 1991 have recorded up to 13 Phalacrocorax carbo, 40 Egretta gularis, 5 E. alba, 7 Ardea cinerea, 65 Phoenicopterus ruber, 400 Anas platyrhynchos, 300 Charadrius alexandrinus, 42 C. leschenaultii, 52 Numenius arquata, 35 Tringa totanus, 87 Calidris alpina, 130 Larus genei, 8 Sterna caspia and small numbers of a further 16 species of waterfowl, mostly shorebirds. Coverage has been poor, and the site is thought to be considerably more important than these counts might suggest. Marsh Harriers Circus aeruginosus have been recorded in winter, and Bridled Terns Sterna anaethetus are common offshore in summer. No information in available on the fish and invertebrate fauna.

Noteworthy flora: Relatively undisturbed stands of the Black Mangrove Avicennia marina.

Scientific research and facilities: None, other than annual mid-winter waterfowl counts (since 1991) and brief ornithological surveys at other times of the year.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Evans (1994). Also: IWRB Asian Waterfowl Census data 1991-95.

Reasons for inclusion: 1d, 2b & 2c. This is the only extensive mangrove area in Qatar, and one of the few this far north on the south shore of the Arabian Gulf. The mangroves and associated mudflats may be very important as breeding and nursery grounds for marine species of fishes and shrimps, including a number of commercially valuable species.

Source: Robert Nation and Abdul Aziz Al-Midfa.

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Al-Aliyah Island (2)

Location: 2521'N, 5134'E; in the Arabian Gulf, 3 km off the east coast of the Qatar Peninsula and about 13 km north-northeast of Doha.

Area: 65 ha.

Altitude: Sea level.

Overview: A small rocky island with long sand spit and broad inter-tidal flats, important for breeding, passage and wintering waterbirds; of special interest because of its proximity to the capital city Doha.

Physical and ecological features: A small, low, rocky island about 3 km off the east coast of Qatar, only about 5 km from the northern outskirts of Doha. The surface consists of loose, weathered limestone rock with an uneven cover of salt-tolerant bushes, especially Zygophyllum qatarensis and Limonium axillare. A sand spit extends south for about two km at low tide, and there are broad inter-tidal flats to the south and east, and coral reefs nearby.

Land tenure: Government of Qatar.

Conservation measures taken: No conservation measures have been taken, although the presence nearby of a security area restricts the number of visitors and thus provides some unintentional protection from disturbance. Visitors are also monitored to some extent by the Coast Guard at Doha, 13 km to the south. The site has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: Formal protection for the site was suggested in 1986 (ABCS, 1986), and new proposals are now under consideration.

Land use: The island is occasionally visited by fishermen and authorized falcon-trappers.

Possible changes in land use: None known.

Disturbances and threats: Visitors to the island may cause some disturbance to breeding seabirds, and exploitation of seabird eggs may be occurring. Oil pollution is always a potential threat.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Socotra Cormorants Phalacrocorax nigrogularis bred once in the period 1991-95 (350 pairs in 1994). Surveys in 1992 and 1993 found breeding colonies of Western Reef Egret Egretta gularis (17 pairs), Lesser Crested Tern Sterna bengalensis (75 pairs), White-cheeked Tern S. repressa (25 pairs) and Bridled Tern S. anaethetus (50 pairs). Annual mid-winter waterfowl counts since January 1992 have recorded maxima of 100 Phalacrocorax carbo, 1,300 P. nigrogularis, 40 Egretta gularis, 11 Ardea cinerea, 380 Phoenicopterus ruber, 30 Numenius arquata, 225 Calidris alpina, 300 Sterna bengalensis and small numbers of a further 17 species of shorebirds, gulls and terns.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: None, other than a few avifaunal surveys and annual mid-winter waterfowl counts since 1992.

Conservation education: Because of its proximity to Doha, the site has considerable potential for education and research.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: ABCS (1986); Evans (1994); Planning Department (1992). Also: IWRB Asian Waterfowl Census data 1992-95.

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 2c & 3b. The island is the only natural offshore island close to Doha.

Source: Robert Nation and Abdul Aziz Al-Midfa.

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Salwa Road Ponds (3)

Location: 2510'N, 5124'E; in the desert about 3 km south of the main Doha to Salwa road, 20 km southwest of Doha.

Area: c.50 ha.

Altitude: c.30 m above sea level.

Overview: A group of freshwater pools in the desert southwest of Doha, fed by treated sewage and supporting relatively luxuriant aquatic vegetation; primarily of interest for the wide diversity of waterbirds occurring on passage and in winter.

Physical and ecological features: A group of shallow, freshwater pools formed on a substrate of hard, stony ground by the dumping of post-treatment sewage effluent, piped about 15 km from the Doha treatment plant. There are some patches of reeds Phragmites australis (communis) and more extensive areas of grasses and Juncus sp. around the edges of the pools. The maximum depth of water is about one metre. The pools are variable in extent, depending on pumping levels. Since 1991, much of the water has been diverted for irrigation purposes, and the wetland is now greatly reduced in size.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None.

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: Grazing by domestic livestock, especially camels.

Possible changes in land use: None known.

Disturbances and threats: Since 1991, the bulk of the water supply has been diverted for agricultural use, and the ponds are now far less extensive than in former years. The water supply could be cut off completely if the demand for irrigation water increases. The marsh vegetation is very heavily grazed by camels, and there is relatively heavy hunting pressure on waterfowl.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: None known.

Noteworthy fauna: A wide variety of waterbirds has been recorded at the site during the migration seasons and in winter, although numbers are generally very small. Annual mid-winter waterfowl counts since January 1991 have recorded up to 30 Tachybaptus ruficollis, 160 Podiceps nigricollis, 150 Phoenicopterus ruber, 40 Gallinula chloropus, 125 Charadrius alexandrinus, 20 Tringa totanus and 300 Larus ridibundus, as well as smaller numbers of a further 11 species of waterfowl.

Noteworthy flora: One of the few significant areas of freshwater marsh vegetation in Qatar.

Scientific research and facilities: None, other than annual mid-winter waterfowl counts (since 1991) and brief ornithological surveys at other times of the year.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: IWRB Asian Waterfowl Census data 1991-95.

Reasons for inclusion: 1d & 2b. One of the very few freshwater habitats in Qatar.

Source: Robert Nation and Abdul Aziz Al-Midfa.

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Umm Said Sewage Pond (4)

Location: 2458'N, 5134'E; near the east coast of the Qatar Peninsula close to the industrial town of Umm Said, about 40 km south of Doha.

Area: About one hectare.

Altitude: Near sea level.

Overview: A man-made pond with a fringe of tall reeds, fed by effluent from a sewage treatment plant; of interest for its breeding, passage and wintering waterbirds.

Physical and ecological features: A small pond, about 150 m long by 70 m wide, formed by earth embankments and filled with post-treatment sewage effluent from an adjacent sewage treatment plant. The pond is surrounded by a tall fringe of Phragmites reeds, up to 6 m in height. The water level shows little fluctuation throughout the year.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None.

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: None.

Possible changes in land use: None known.

Disturbances and threats: Some waterfowl hunting has been reported, but the tall reed fringe makes access difficult.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: None known.

Noteworthy fauna: Little Grebe Tachybaptus ruficollis and Moorhen Gallinula chloropus breed regularly. Many species of waterfowl have been recorded during the migration seasons and in winter, including at least seven species of ducks (Anatidae), but numbers are generally very small.

Noteworthy flora: One of the few significant areas of freshwater marsh vegetation in Qatar.

Scientific research and facilities: None, other than annual mid-winter waterfowl counts (since 1991) and brief ornithological surveys at other times of the year.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: IWRB Asian Waterfowl Census data 1991-95.

Reasons for inclusion: 1d & 2b. One of the very few freshwater habitats in Qatar.

Source: Robert Nation and Abdul Aziz Al-Midfa.

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Khor al-Udeid (Khawr al-'Udayd) (5)

Location: 2437'N, 5120'E; in extreme southeastern Qatar, on the border with Saudi Arabia.

Area: c.12,000 ha.

Altitude: Sea level.

Overview: A large sea bay with narrow connection to the sea on the southeast coast of the Qatar Peninsula, possibly of considerable importance for marine mammals, sea turtles, waterfowl and seabirds, but very poorly known.

Physical and ecological features: A very large tidal inlet, about 15 km from north to south and up to 12 km from east to west, on the eastern side of the Qatar Peninsula near its base. The main part of the bay is connected to the open sea by a relatively narrow channel, over 10 km in length, which passes between high sand dunes and layered rock formations to the south. The inlet contains a number of sandy and rocky islands as well as areas of inter-tidal flats, and there are patches of coral reef near the seaward end of the channel. Large areas of sabkha lie adjacent to much of the shoreline.

Land tenure: Unknown. The southern shores are now controlled by Saudi Arabia.

Conservation measures taken: Khor al-Udeid was declared a water sanctuary by Ministerial Decree No.78 of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Agriculture in November 1993. This placed a ban on all commercial fishing. The site has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: Formerly commercial fishing, but this was banned in 1993. The sandy shores attract heavy weekend recreation in the cool season, but the sabkha shorelines are seldom visited.

Possible changes in land use: None known.

Disturbances and threats: There is some recreational disturbance by campers and four-wheel drive vehicles, but otherwise there are no obvious threats apart from major oil pollution.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information is available. However, the inlet is likely to be an important breeding area and nursery grounds for crustaceans and marine fishes.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Breeding birds include at least one pair of Osprey Pandion haliaetus on a low rocky island, and Caspian Tern Sterna caspia. Large concentrations of wintering Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus ruber have been reported in the past, but these have not been confirmed in recent years. Significant numbers of other waterbirds may also occur, including Great Cormorant Phalacrocorax carbo, Socotra Cormorant P. nigrogularis, shorebirds, gulls and terns.

Unidentified whales have been recorded, possibly Balaenoptera edeni, and the area may be an important feeding ground for dolphins. Sea turtles are also believed to occur, but details are lacking.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: None. The area is remote and has seldom been visited by scientists.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Evans (1994); Gallagher (1985); Gallagher et al. (1984).

Reasons for inclusion: 1d (2c). An unusual, largely land-locked sea bay, thought to be of importance for wildlife, but not as yet properly investigated.

Source: Robert Nation and Abdul Aziz Al-Midfa.

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REFERENCES