A Directory of Wetlands in the Middle East

REPUBLIC OF YEMEN

INTRODUCTION

[go to site descriptions]

Area: 531,000 sq.km.

Population: 11,500,000 (1990).

In 1990, the Yemen Arab Republic (North Yemen) and the People's Democratic Republic of Yemen (South Yemen) were unified to form the present Republic of Yemen. Situated in the south of the Arabian Peninsula, the Republic of Yemen is bounded to the west by the Red Sea, to the south by the Gulf of Aden, to the east by the Sultanate of Oman, and to the north by Saudi Arabia. The narrow desert plain of the Tihamah bordering the Red Sea rises abruptly to a mountainous interior. These mountains, which are heavily terraced for agriculture, attain heights of between 3,000 and 3,500 m, and include the highest mountain in Arabia, Jabal al-Nabi Shu'ayb, with a peak at 3,666 m. Further east, the mountains fall away in a series of precipitous steps to the fringes of the arid Rub al-Khali (Empty Quarter). In the south, the narrow coastal plain along the coast of the Gulf of Aden is backed by a range of steep mountains rising to almost 2,500 m. North of these mountains, a high plateau falls away gently to the northeast to merge with the Rub al-Khali basin. Numerous large wadis with permanently flowing water in their upper reaches descend from the mountains towards the coastal plains, the most important in terms of surface flow being the Mawr, Surdud, Siham and Zabid in the Red Sea drainage and the Hadramawt in the Gulf of Aden drainage. During the past 20 years, there has been a drastic drop in the water table on the plateau in the central highlands, and this is now of considerable concern to agriculturalists. The fall in water levels has been attributed to excessive pumping of groundwater from boreholes, and reduced water retention because of the widespread collapse of ancient terraces.

Although part of the Republic of Yemen, Socotra Island and its neighbouring islands of Al-Ikhwan (The Brothers) and Abd al-Kuri in the Indian Ocean are geographically a continuation of the Horn of Africa. Socotra lies about 800 km east of Aden and 350 km from the nearest mainland coast of Yemen. This predominantly limestone island measures about 110 km from east to west and 30 km from north to south, and attains an altitude of 1,500 m.

The climate along the Red Sea coast is hot and humid, with a mean annual temperature of 29C. Precipitation is very low, the average annual rainfall at Al-Hudaydah being 85 mm, with rain falling on only about 11 days a year. The climate along the south coast is similar, with maximum temperatures exceeding 40C in July and August. Average temperatures at Aden range from 24C in January to 32C in July, and the average annual rainfall is 46 mm. Despite the low rainfall, the humidity is very high. By contrast, the highlands are mild with summer maxima around 29C. Winters can be cold and frosts are not uncommon. The average annual rainfall over much of the highlands is 380-500 mm, decreasing to less than 120 mm in the east.

Most of Yemen's population of about 11.5 million are concentrated in the western highlands and locally along the coast, and large parts of the country are sparsely populated, especially in the east and south. Cultivated land covers only about 6% of the country, mainly on the highland terrace system and on the Tihamah. Some 30% of the land area is said to be grazed and 10% is classified as "woodland", with the remaining 54% being largely desert or barren, rocky hills. Yemen's major landscapes and dominant vegetation types have recently been summarized by IUCN (1992) and Evans (1994).

Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy. Most farming is at a subsistence level, the staple crops being millet, sorghum, wheat, barley, pulses, dates, fruit and vegetables. Cotton is widely grown on the coastal plains as a cash crop. Fishing is also a major industry, particularly in the south. The industrial sector is small and is based on the manufacture of cotton textiles, cement, aluminium products and handicrafts. Oil is now the chief export. Yemen is divided into 16 provinces or Governorates, ten in former North Yemen and six in former South Yemen. Sana'a, the capital, is situated at about 2,300 m elevation in the western highlands.

Summary of Wetland Situation

The relatively high annual rainfall in the western and southern highlands feeds a large number of rivers and streams which descend rapidly in steep-sided wadis towards the coastal plains. Many of these have permanently flowing water in their upper reaches, and retain water throughout the year in deep pools along their middle and lower reaches, but in most cases, surface flow only reaches the sea during periods of exceptionally heavy rainfall. In some wadis, this may be as infrequently as once in 50-100 years. The seven most important wadi systems in the western highlands, from north to south, are Wadi Mawr, Wadi Surdud, Wadi Siham, Wadi Rima, Wadi Zabid, Wadi Rasyan and Wadi Mawsa. Scholte (1992) gives details of the major hydrological characteristics of these wadis, all of which drain west into the Red Sea. Major wadi systems draining south into the Gulf of Aden and Arabian Sea include Wadi Warazan, Wadi Jahr, Wadi Hajar and the impressive Wadi Hadramawt. The latter, which is some 240 km in length, is the largest natural permanent river in Arabia, and contains five of the nine indigenous freshwater fishes of the Arabian Peninsula, including three of the six Arabian endemics.

There are no natural freshwater lakes in Yemen and few permanent freshwater marshes of any size, due partly to the precipitous terrain and partly to alterations in the landscape by agriculture over many millennia. In a few areas, notably in Wadi al-Malih and Wadi Warazan, sub-surface seepage feeds grassy marshes in valley bottoms. The Wadi al-Malih marshes near Ta'izz are of special interest as they regularly hold small numbers of the critically endangered Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita. The only other significant sites for waterfowl in the interior of Yemen are man-made wetlands, notably Ma'rib Dam, a water storage reservoir on Wadi Ma'rib, and the extensive sewage lagoons near Ta'izz. At the latter site, treated waste water has created a system of small lakes and marshes which regularly support 2,000-3,000 waterfowl in winter. There are also small water storage reservoirs in Wadi Mawr and Wadi Hajar.

Much of Yemen's coastline, both along the southern Red Sea (450 km, excluding islands) and along the Gulf of Aden (over 1,250 km), is low-lying, with high energy sandy or gravelly beaches backed by sand dunes and low cliffs. Inter-tidal flats of mud or sand occur widely along the Red Sea coast, and to a lesser extent along the Gulf of Aden coast. The richest coastal mudflats are found at the mouths of the main wadis, where sub-surface seepage creates richer habitats compared to intervening stretches of coastline. Mangroves are widespread on the Red Sea coast and on some islands, particularly north of Al-'Urj. Well developed mangrove is found along 84 km or 12% of the Red Sea coast, and less well developed mangrove along a further 38 km (5%). The mangrove communities are extremely simple, consisting of only one species of mangrove, Avicennia marina. Locally, there are coastal lagoons and large areas of intermittently inundated salt flats (sabkha).

Coral reef formations in the Red Sea have been described by UNEP/IUCN (1988). Fringing coral communities have developed on remnant fossil reef rock substrates in some areas, mainly immediately north of Al-Mukha and between Al-Mukha and Dhubab. However, unlike further north in the Red Sea, raised reef rock features and other consolidated substrates are rare, and in general coral reefs are limited in extent. Seagrass beds are also limited in extent because of a relative paucity of sheltered locations and the strong seasonal winds. The diurnal tidal range in the Red Sea is about 0.5 m, and the seasonal variation from 1.33 m in January to 1.03 m in July.

Yemen's coastal waters are rich in fish and crustaceans of commercial importance including the lobster Palinurus sp. and the swimming crab Portunus pelagicus, and support an important artisanal fishery (Loulou, 1976). The great productivity of the Arabian Sea, Gulf of Aden and southern Red Sea, caused by upwellings of cold, nutrient-rich waters during the summer monsoon, together with the presence of numerous offshore islands, create ideal feeding and breeding areas for many seabirds, notably Bulweria fallax, Puffinus persicus, Phaethon aethereus, Sula dactylatra, S. leucogaster, Phalacrocorax nigrogularis, Phalaropus lobatus, Larus hemprichii, L. leucophthalmus, Sterna bergii and S. repressa (Evans, 1994).

Wadi systems throughout Yemen are being adversely affected by severe degradation of the catchments as a result of deforestation for fuelwood and the charcoal industry and overgrazing by domestic livestock. Land-use changes, as a consequence of increasing mechanization of agriculture, have led to serious problems of erosion through deep ploughing on former rangelands and of pollution from pesticides and fertilizers. The Ta'izz marshes are critically threatened by excessive extraction of groundwater and conversion to agriculture. Relatively few of the coastal wetlands are subject to severe and immediate problems or are currently undergoing major changes, but mangroves are under threat locally from coastal development, e.g. around Al-Hudaydah. Oil exploration is occurring off the northwest coast, and there are potential threats from pollution.

Preliminary lists of important wetlands in the Republic of Yemen have been given by Al-Safadi (1993) and Scott (1993). A recent inventory of Important Bird Areas in the Middle East, sponsored by BirdLife International, has identified 57 sites as being of special importance for bird conservation in Yemen (Evans, 1994). Sixteen of these sites are primarily wetlands or contain significant tracts of wetland habitat, 12 in the coastal zone and four inland. All of these sites are included in the present inventory, along with two additional inland sites, Al-Hudaydah Sewage Lagoons and Wadi Warazan. Rocky offshore islands and marine areas important for pelagic seabirds have been excluded from the present inventory as they can scarcely be classified as wetlands and have already been well covered in the inventory of Important Bird Areas.

Wetland Research

The Faculty of Science at the University of Sana'a conducts research on biological resources, and the University of Aden has undertaken limited studies related to the environment. Preliminary work has been undertaken on coastal zone management plans for the Red Sea coast, including comprehensive surveys of ecosystems (TMRU, 1987). The Department of Fisheries carries out investigations on the marine fisheries, and has undertaken marine biological and oceanographic investigations in the Red Sea in collaboration with FAO. A small Marine Biological Laboratory was established at Al-Hudaydah in the 1970s, and a Marine Science and Resources Research Centre was established by the Government of the former Yemen Arab Republic in 1983, with the assistance of UNESCO.

Biologists from the University of Sana'a have investigated the freshwater molluscs, freshwater crustaceans and dragonflies (Odonata) of Yemen, and have studied the macrofauna of stagnant freshwater bodies (Al-Safadi, 1990a, 1990b, 1991a & 1991b). Various collections of freshwater fishes have been made, the largest of these being collections from Wadi Hadramawt in the 1940s, and a collection by Dr I.G. Dunn from several localities in Yemen in 1976 (summarized by Banister and Clarke, 1977). Numerous resident and visiting ornithologists have gathered a considerable amount of information on the birds of Yemen, particularly under the auspices of the Ornithological Society of the Middle East since 1979, and have surveyed a number of important wetlands, especially along the Red Sea coast and at Ta'izz. Scholte (1992) studied the avifauna of Wadi Rima, one of the major wadis in western Yemen with permanently flowing water. M.M. Al-Safadi from the Department of Biology, University of Sana'a, has participated in the IWRB/AWB Asian Waterfowl Census since the winter of 1990/91, and has provided information on a total of 11 sites, six of which are included in the present inventory.

Wetland Area Legislation

Prior to unification, there was no specific wildlife conservation nor protected areas legislation in either of the two republics. In the former People's Democratic Republic of Yemen, legislation concerning the environment included laws on hunting and Law No.13 (1976) which established the National Environment Council. In the former Yemen Arab Republic, environmental legislation included Law No.13 (1975), which relates to various aspects of marine pollution and identifies the protocol for forbidding discharge of oil, ballast, rubbish and other harmful substances into the marine environment, and Law No.20 (1978), which relates to fisheries and bans the use of explosives or harmful substances. A Prime Ministerial Decree (No.7) in 1987 established the Environmental Protection Council as a cross-ministerial group. A Forest Law was adopted in the Yemen Arab Republic in 1986, but this had not been ratified at the time of unification. In the mid-1980s, the Ministry of Agriculture of the Yemen Arab Republic proposed major wildlife conservation legislation relating to species and areas, but this was rejected by the People's Constituent Assembly on the grounds that it was outside the development priorities of the Government (IUCN, 1992).

No effective legislation on any aspect of wildlife conservation has been introduced since unification (Rands, 1992). Wildlife legislation exists in draft form, but until it is ratified by Parliament, there is no governmental system for site protection.

At international level, the Republic of Yemen is a contracting party to the World Heritage Convention, but has not as yet designated any natural World Heritage Sites. It participates in the Programme for the Environment of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden (PERSGA), and has ratified the Regional Convention for the Conservation of the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden Environment. It has signed, but not ratified, the Biodiversity Convention. It participates in the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme, but has not as yet designated any Biosphere Reserves, although the island of Socotra is currently being considered for nomination. The Republic of Yemen is not a party to either the Ramsar Convention or the Bonn Convention.

Wetland Area Administration

Since unification, the main ministry concerned with wildlife conservation, fisheries and forestry has been the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources, combining the former YAR Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries based in Sana'a and the former PDRY Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Reform based in Aden. A Department of Fisheries was established in the YAR Ministry of Agriculture in the 1970s to plan, develop and monitor the fisheries resource and to frame legislation for administering fisheries. The Environmental Protection Council, established in the YAR in 1987, has continued after unification to develop and coordinate environmental policy throughout the entire country. It undertakes a variety of tasks including the preparation of wildlife laws, development of policy for the control of pollution and pesticide contamination, and the setting up of a general framework for an environmental education programme.

None of the wetlands included in this inventory is legally protected for nature conservation purposes, although some may be covered by traditional resource-use reserves or "mahjur", and several have been officially considered for legal protection measures in the past. Traditional forms of protected area in rangelands (mahjur) and areas protected by religious institutions have been described by IUCN (1992). Land rights are not at the national level, but at the level of traditional land owners. The only large government-owned area which is of importance for nature conservation is the mangrove coastline, which is under the jurisdiction of the army. The Government of the Yemen Arab Republic studied the possibility of establishing marine parks in the Red Sea in the 1970s and 1980s, and IUCN has identified 16 sites along the mainland coast of the Red Sea as deserving special management or protection. Various other lists of priority areas for conservation have been drawn up, but there are still no nationally designated protected areas in Yemen (IUCN, 1992; Evans, 1994).

Organizations involved with Wetlands

Environmental Protection Council

Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources

Faculty of Science, University of Sana'a

Nature and Ornithological Society of Yemen

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WETLANDS

Site descriptions compiled from the literature, principally Evans (1994), and from information provided for the International Waterfowl Census by Dr Mousa Mohamed Al-Safadi at the Department of Biology, University of Sana'a. Omar al-Saghier and Richard F. Porter provided unpublished information on the birds recorded at four sites in March 1995.

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Red Sea Coast: Midi to Al-Luhayyah (1)

Location: 1621'N, 4247'E to 1533'N, 4241'E; on the Red Sea coast from the Saudi Arabian border near Midi south for about 90 km to Al-Luhayyah, 105 km north-northwest of Al-Hudaydah, Hajjah and Al-Hudaydah Governorates.

Area: 30,000 ha.

Altitude: Sea level.

Overview: A 90-km stretch of the Red Sea coast near the Saudi Arabian border, with well developed mangrove fringe and extensive sand bars and mudflats.

Physical and ecological features: The site comprises about 90 km of very flat sabkha coastline with extensive offshore sand bars and inter-tidal mudflats, especially at Al-Luhayyah in the south, some sandy beaches around Midi in the north, and occasional sand dunes and cliffs, especially in the northern half. There is a small, rocky hill at Al-Luhayyah (Jabal al-Humara). Reef-rock rubble patches are frequent offshore in the southern half, but there are no significant coral reefs. More than 60 km of the coast is fringed by well-developed mangrove Avicennia marina, which becomes very dense between Midi and Buhays; these are the most extensive stands of mangrove in Yemen. Seagrass beds are few except around Buhays. There is little terrestrial vegetation along the coast, this consisting mainly of salt-tolerant spiny grass.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The site has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: Fishing is the main human activity, centred on Al-Luhayyah, Midi, Habl and Buhays. Tourism and recreational use occur at low levels.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: Occasional dredging of the shipping channel to Al-Luhayyah may damage mudflats locally. Shrimp-farming is said to be increasing in Yemen, and if so would gravely threaten mangrove habitat.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: Al-Luhayyah is a classic Red Sea port of great cultural, archaeological and historical interest.

Noteworthy fauna: An important staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl, especially shorebirds, and possible also an important breeding area for several species. Pelecanus rufescens (maximum 100) and Ardea goliath (maximum 3) have been recorded throughout the year and probably breed in the mangroves. Other possible breeding species include Egretta gularis (maximum 35), Ardea purpurea, Pandion haliaetus, the endemic Red Sea subspecies of the Collared Kingfisher Todiramphus chloris abyssinica, Acrocephalus stentoreus and A. baeticatus; A. stentoreus is certainly common in winter and spring. Counts of passage migrants and/or winter visitors have included up to 10 Ardea cinerea, 90 Platalea leucorodia, 200 Dromas ardeola, 20 Recurvirostra avosetta (October), hundreds of Charadrius alexandrinus and C. leschenaultii, 1,000 C. mongolus (October), 100 Limosa lapponica, hundreds of Numenius arquata (October), 25 Tringa nebularia, 200 T. cinerea (October), 100 Calidris alba, hundreds of Limicola falcinellus (October), 5 Larus leucophthalmus (November), 86 L. genei, 20 Gelochelidon nilotica and 60 Sterna caspia (November). Sterna repressa is a common passage migrant (e.g. 120 in November), and may breed on offshore sand bars.

The Dugong Dugong dugon and Green Turtle Chelonia mydas occur in inshore waters along the coast.

Noteworthy flora: The site contains the most extensive stands of mangrove in Yemen.

Scientific research and facilities: None, other than brief avifaunal surveys. The mangrove has not been surveyed during the breeding season.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Brooks et al. (1987); Evans (1994); Phillips (1982); TMRU (1987).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 2a & 3c. A relatively undisturbed stretch of coastline, important for migratory waterfowl especially shorebirds (notably Charadrius mongolus), and providing habitat for at least three globally threatened species (Chelonia mydas, Larus leucophthalmus and Dugong dugon).

Source: See references.

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Islands off the Northwest Coast (2)

Location: 1528'-1602'N, 4217'-4242'E; in the southern Red Sea north and northwest of Kamaran Island, about 90-140 km north-northwest of Al-Hudaydah, Al-Hudaydah Governorate.

Area: c.5,000 ha.

Altitude: Sea level to 36 m.

Overview: A group of over 30 small, mainly low-lying, sandy islands in the Red Sea, 10-45 km off the northwest coast of Yemen; several are formed from upraised coral and at least two support some mangrove vegetation.

Physical and ecological features: The site comprises a loose archipelago of at least 31 small islands on the northern Red Sea shelf, from Buhays in the northeast to Al-Badi off the north coast of Kamaran in the south. (The large island of Kamaran is included as part of Site 3). The islands lie between 10 km and 45 km off the mainland coast. Most are low, flat and sandy, elevated only a few metres, but a few of the largest are formed from upraised coral and are higher, rising to a peak at 36 m on the largest island, Tikfash (2,990 ha). Most islands have a fringing coral reef, and usually also have a sandy beach, allowing access at least at high tide; the most extensive beaches are on the east coast of Humar and the north coast of Tikfash. Vegetation is sparse on all islands, with thin grass and low, salt-tolerant bushes. There are small areas of mangrove Avicennia marina on Tikfash and Humar; Kitamah has a well, surrounded by succulent Euphorbia vegetation. Patches of seagrass and reef-rock rubble occur off most islands.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The site has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: The establishment of marine parks has been considered in the past. A baseline census of the breeding birds, education of fishermen and navy personnel, the erection of signs at key landing points, and the extermination or control of introduced rodents have all been recommended as highly desirable measures (Evans, 1994). Many of the islands are in pristine condition, with little sign of human interference, and thus any projects to open them up for tourism (e.g. for diving) should carefully consider the interests of wildlife conservation (R.F. Porter, pers. comm.).

Land use: None of the islands is permanently inhabited. However there are temporary fishing camps, occupied seasonally, on Buhays, Zakhah, Zurbat, Juwa, At Talawin, Humar, Zabin, Al-Murk, Hataban, 'Ukban and perhaps many of the other islands. A small tourist camp has recently been established on the largest island, Tikfash, and small numbers of tourists, mainly from Italy, are now visiting the islands for the diving.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: The islands of Zurbat, Kitamah and possibly Zuraymah are infested with rats Rattus sp., while Juwa and Hataban are infested with mice Mus sp. Tern and turtle eggs are taken by fishermen. Extraction of sand for the local building trade has occurred on the beach on Humar, and may be continuing with attendant disturbance. Plastic rubbish is common on all the islands, as it is on the mainland.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: There are graves on Juwa, Hataban and especially Uqban, where there are also traces of former settlement.

Noteworthy fauna: Breeding birds include Phaethon aethereus (10+ pairs on Kitamah), Sula leucogaster (1,200 birds on Kutman in March 1995), Butorides striatus (at least one pair on Tikfash), Egretta gularis (10 pairs on Qusur), Ardea goliath (one pair on Qusur and probably at least one pair on Tikfash), Platalea leucorodia archeri (six pairs on Humar in 1979), Pandion haliaetus (at least five pairs on Tikfash, five pairs on Qusur, two pairs on Hataban and one pair on Kutman), Falco concolor (at least one pair on Kitamah), Charadrius alexandrinus (50+ pairs on Tikfash), Larus hemprichii (15 pairs on Kutman), Sterna caspia (five pairs on Qusur) and S. saundersi (15+ pairs on Tikfash and three pairs on Ba Baryd). Fifteen Pelecanus rufescens were observed in suitable breeding habitat in mangroves on Tikfash in March 1995. Other species possibly breeding on the islands include Dromas ardeola, Larus leucophthalmus, Sterna bengalensis and Acrocephalus baeticatus (singing in the mangroves on Tikfash in March 1995). Small colonies of terns, probably Sterna repressa, are reported to nest on the low sandy islands of Juwa, At Talawin and Hataban.

Birds recorded during a brief survey of Kitamah and Hataban in October 1979 included four Pelecanus rufescens, 100 Sula leucogaster, small numbers of Dromas ardeola, 70 Arenaria interpres, 300 Larus hemprichii, 210 L. leucophthalmus, 20 Sterna caspia, 100 S. bergii, 1,000 S. bengalensis and 100 S. repressa. Migrants observed during a survey of Tikfash in March 1995 included 50 Dromas ardeola, 140 Charadrius mongolus, 100 Limosa lapponica, 80 Calidris ferruginea, 100 Arenaria interpres, 21 Larus ichthyaetus and 200 Sterna bergii.

Records of dolphins, including Bottle-nosed Dolphin Tursiops truncatus and Indo-Pacific Hump-backed Dolphin Sousa chinensis, and whales, probably including Balaenoptera edeni, are frequent, and Dugongs Dugong dugon are said by fishermen to be particularly common. Sea turtles including Chelonia mydas and Eretmochelys imbricata nest, probably in important numbers. The coral reefs are particularly diverse.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: Cartographic surveys were undertaken in 1977 and 1979. Phillips (1982) carried out brief avifaunal surveys on Kitamah and Hataban in 1979, and Omar al-Saghier and R.F. Porter investigated the birds of Tikfash, Qusur, Ba Baryd and Kutman in March 1995.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Evans (1989, 1994); Phillips (1982).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 2a & 3c. A group of uninhabited and relatively undisturbed islands with breeding seabirds and sea turtles, important also for passage and wintering Laridae (notably Larus leucophthalmus and Sterna bengalensis). The surrounding waters are important for Dugong dugon and cetaceans.

Source: See references.

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Bahr Ibn Abbas, Ra's Isa and Kamaran Island (3)

Location: 1511'-1528'N, 4232'-4248'E; about 60 km north-northwest of Al-Hudaydah, Al-Hudaydah Governorate.

Area: c.35,000 ha.

Altitude: Sea level to 24 m (on Kamaran Island).

Overview: A large inshore island, a sandy headland and a shallow sea bay with extensive mudflats and mangrove vegetation, well developed coral reefs and seagrass beds, on the northern Red Sea coast of Yemen.

Physical and ecological features: The site comprises the large island of Kamaran (1522'N, 4235'E, 10,000 ha), Ra's Isa headland on the mainland coast to the southeast, and the adjacent shallow, sheltered bay, Bahr Ibn Abbas, north of Ra's Isa. Kamaran is a low, flat, rather bare island, separated from the mainland by a channel 2.5 km wide and less than 100 m deep. It is about 20 km long (from north to south) and up to 8 km wide. The south coast of Ra's Isa is a steep, sandy storm-beach, backed by several old, raised beaches of coral debris and with occasional sand dunes, low cliffs and patches of sabkha; there is a fringing coral reef close inshore. The north coast of Ra's Isa and the coast of Bahr Ibn Abbas are very flat and dominated by bare sabkha, broken only by a coral outcrop at the port of Al-Salif and occasional areas of sand dunes. There are extensive inter-tidal mudflats and sandflats as well as some coral reef off Al-Salif and Al-Khawbah. About 10 km of well developed mangrove Avicennia marina fringe a sheltered bay on Kamaran and areas north and south of Ibn Abbas, where appreciable freshwater seepage also supports groves of Phoenix and Hyphaene palms inland. Seagrass beds are frequent in Bahr Ibn Abbas, especially south of Al-Khawbah. There are a few salt-tolerant bushes, including Limonium sp., growing on sandy areas on Ra's Isa.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The site has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: The establishment of marine parks has been considered in the past, and the area was recommended for special management by a PERSGA survey team. The southwest coast of Ra's Isa is considered a suitable site for a Marine Park, being convenient for tourists and for scientists from the marine laboratory at Al-Hudaydah.

Land use: Al-Salif is a modern container port, and is the Red Sea terminus for a major oil-pipeline. The other major human activity is fishing: Al-Khawbah is a major fishing port and Ibn Abbas is a major fishing village. Kamaran Island is inhabited, and is grazed by a sizeable herd of camels.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: The impact on habitats caused by the construction of the oil terminal at Al-Salif in the late 1980s is not known. Associated development of the Al-Salif area in the future is probably the greatest potential threat to the site, through expansion of industry and housing leading to reclamation of land, high levels of disturbance and pollution. Breeding colonies of waterbirds in the mangroves may be threatened by human disturbance, deliberate persecution, exploitation of eggs and the cutting of trees for wood and fodder. Because of its clear, rich seas and accessible coral reefs, the Ra's Isa area is a strong candidate for development of tourism in the future, with potentially major impacts on the fauna.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Known to be an important area for a variety of waterfowl and seabirds, but little precise information is available. The only known breeding colony of Pelecanus rufescens in Yemen is in mangroves near Ibn Abbas, but numbers appear to be small (maximum 12, October). Ardea goliath has been recorded in the area in February, and may also breed in the mangroves. Dromas ardeola is present year-round in small numbers (maximum 34, January), and may breed. At least one pair of Pandion haliaetus breeds, and Falco concolor is probably a non-breeding summer visitor from nearby islands. Other notable species include Limicola falcinellus (passage migrant), Larus hemprichii (common non-breeding visitor, maximum 140), L. leucophthalmus (passage migrant, maximum 30), Sterna caspia (passage migrant, maximum 100) and Sterna repressa (non-breeding summer visitor, maximum 125 birds). Non-breeding summer visitors to the rich seas offshore include Sula leucogaster (100), Sterna bergii (20), S. bengalensis (180) and Anous stolidus (two). Some of these may well breed on nearby islands.

A species of gazelle Gazella sp. formerly occurred on Kamaran, but there have been no records since a horn was found in 1979. Feeding whales and dolphins (e.g. Sousa chinensis) are frequent offshore, and a population of Dugong Dugong dugon occurs in Bahr Ibn Abbas. The area is probably an important feeding ground for sea turtles.

The coral reef along the southwest side of Ra's Isa, near Al-Salif, is probably the best developed reef on the Yemen mainland, and is reported to support profuse Porites growth.

Noteworthy flora: The site contains extensive stands of mangrove and seagrass beds.

Scientific research and facilities: None, other than brief faunal and floral surveys. The area is extremely poorly known.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Evans (1994); UNEP/IUCN (1988).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 2a & 3c. A relatively undisturbed stretch of coastline, important for breeding, passage and wintering waterfowl (notably Pelecanus rufescens, Larus leucophthalmus and Sterna caspia), Dugong dugon and sea turtles.

Source: See references.

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Wadi Surdud (4)

Location: 1513'N, 4320'E; 15 km northeast of Bajil and about 65 km northeast of Al-Hudaydah, Al-Hudaydah and Al-Mahwit Governorates.

Area: Unknown.

Altitude: c.250-400 m.

Overview: A large wadi in the foothills of the Red Sea escarpment, with permanently flowing water and deep pools; one of the seven largest wadis in western Yemen.

Physical and ecological features: The site comprises a section of Wadi Surdud where its leaves the rocky foothills of the Red Sea escarpment and flows onto the adjacent silt plain of the western Tihamah, north and northeast of Bajil. Wadi Surdud is one of the largest wadis along the west coast of Yemen. The upper reaches of the wadi contain permanently flowing water, while the lower reaches retain some water throughout the year in large, deep pools. Surface flow only reaches the sea during the rainy seasons (March-April and July-September). The wadi parallels the main Sana'a to Al-Hudaydah highway for about 12 km in a narrow gorge before opening out onto the Tihamah plain. A fine parkland of Dobera glabra trees covers much of the plain (especially north of Al-Kadan) and extends into the foothills, where there are also scattered trees of Acacia mellifera, A. etbaica and Ziziphus, shrubs (Anisotis, Berchemia, Sageretia and Carissa) and succulents (e.g. Adenium, Caralluma, Opuntia), all often festooned with Cissus and other climbers. The vegetation is denser along wadi banks and in hollows, where these trees and shrubs form thickets, together with occasional Trichilia and Tamarindus trees up to 10 m high. The wadi floor supports dense thickets of native shrubs and trees, as well as many gardens, orchards and palm groves.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. Wadi Surdud has been included within a larger site (Al-Kadan, c.6,000 ha) identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: Most of the Tihamah plain is cultivated traditionally for rain-fed sorghum and millet, but there are also some large-scale irrigation projects. The foothills are predominantly uncultivated and are grazed by goats, sheep, camels and cattle.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: The water table is being lowered by over-pumping of groundwater for irrigation purposes, and the Dobera parkland is being destroyed by the expansion of intensive irrigated agriculture.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Scopus umbretta and Ciconia abdimii breed in the wadi. The pools and marshy areas along the wadi provide wintering habitat for small numbers of a variety waterbirds. Mid-winter waterfowl counts in Wadi Surdud since 1991 have included up to 8 Butorides striatus, 180 Bubulcus ibis, 16 Egretta gularis, 8 E. garzetta, 16 Ardea cinerea, 24 Ciconia abdimii, 8 Tringa ochropus and 8 Actitis hypoleucos. Nycticorax nycticorax has also been recorded in the wadi, and a Black-headed Heron Ardea melanocephala was present in January 1994. The Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita is a very rare but possibly regular non-breeding visitor; one was present in November 1984, and 5-6 were present in May 1985. Small numbers of Ciconia ciconia occur on passage (maximum 23) and C. nigra has been recorded. Many other passage migrants are attracted to rest and feed at irrigated farmland on the adjacent plains, including large numbers of raptors. The lush wadi vegetation, open woodland and sandy plains support a very diverse breeding bird fauna including most of the Afrotropical species characteristic of this region of southwestern Arabia. Several pairs of Black-winged Kites Elanus caeruleus breed in the area, and up to seven Arabian Bustards Ardeotis arabs have been recorded on the adjacent plains.

Mammals include the Hamadryas Baboon Papio hamadryas, endemic to southern Arabia. The terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa, two amphibians endemic to Arabia, the toad Bufo tihamicus and the frog Euphlyctis ehrenbergii, and a freshwater fish endemic to Southwest Arabia, Barbus arabicus (Cyprinidae), occur in permanent pools along the wadi.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: Several ornithological surveys have been carried out in the area, and mid-winter waterfowl counts have been undertaken by the Department of Biology, University of Sana'a, each year since 1991. I.G. Dunn collected fish in the wadi in 1976, and Al-Safadi (1990c) studied breeding Ciconia abdimii in 1989.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Al-Safadi (1990c); Banister & Clarke (1977); Brooks et al. (1987); Cornwallis & Porter (1982); Evans (1994).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, (2a) & 2d. A good example of a large wadi system with permanently flowing water, supporting endemic amphibians and fish, and possibly a regular staging area for the endangered Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita.

Source: See references.

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Red Sea Coast: Al-'Urj to Al-Hudaydah (5)

Location: 1455'N, 4255'E; on the Red Sea coast north from the city of Al-Hudaydah to Al-'Urj, Al-Hudaydah Governorate.

Area: Unknown.

Altitude: Sea level.

Overview: A 30-km stretch of the Red Sea coast north of Al-Hudaydah, with extensive inter-tidal flats, mangrove vegetation and a tidal inlet protected by a barrier-beach. The southern part of the coast is sheltered by the Ra's al-Kathib peninsula.

Physical and ecological features: The site comprises about 30 km of coastline from just north of the city of Al-Hudaydah in the south to the fishing village of Al-'Urj in the north, and includes a large, shallow sea bay protected from the open sea by Ra's al-Kathib, a 15-km long sandy peninsula protruding in a northwesterly direction from the mainland coast about 5 km north of Al-Hudaydah. The bay contains extensive inter-tidal mudflats with small patches of stunted mangrove and a number of small sandy islets. Overflow from Al-Hudaydah sewage lagoons (Site 6) enters the bay via a small stream in the southeast. Further north, towards Al-'Urj, much of the coastline is a steep sandy beach, backed by sand dunes and areas of bare salt flats (sabkha). About 5 km south of Al-'Urj, the beach is broken by a tidal inlet about one km long, at the mouth of a dry wadi. This inlet is protected by a shell-sand barrier-beach, and contains some 5-10 ha of well-developed mangrove and extensive inter-tidal mudflats and sand flats. The substantial seepage of fresh groundwater at the tidal inlet feeds several brackish wells and small ponds, and supports an extensive coastal fringe of doum palms Hyphaene sp. and groves of date palms Phoenix sp. (c.200 ha), as well as Odyssea/Aeluropus spiny-grass pastures on the sabkha by the tidal inlet. In this area, the coast is backed by a raised alluvial silt and gravel plain with associated coastal cliffs, about 3 m high. Offshore there is a fringing coral reef, and seagrass beds are moderately common. The coastal silt plain is sparsely vegetated with Suaeda dwarf-shrubland, grading into sparse Panicum grassland further inland.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The Al-'Urj area in the north (1,500 ha) has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: The establishment of a marine park has been considered in the past, and the Al-'Urj area was recommended for special management by a PERSGA study team in 1985.

Land use: The large port of Al-Hudaydah is situated at the south end of the bay. The main human activity is fishing, but the area is also regularly used for recreation (e.g. camping) by expatriates and urban Yemenis. In 1990, there were plans to build a tourist hotel near Al-'Urj. The doum palm woodland is highly valued by local fishermen for building and thatching materials. The mangrove and spiny-grass flats are grazed by goats and camels.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: The bay is subject to considerable levels of pollution and disturbance from Al-Hudaydah port in the south. It is not known whether the planned hotel at Al-'Urj has been built, and if so, to what extent destruction of habitat, depletion of freshwater supplies, pollution through waste disposal, and excessive disturbance of wildlife have been avoided. Campers' fires have burned down areas of the Hyphaene palm woodland near Al-'Urj.

Hydrological and biophysical values: The bay and the mangrove-lined tidal inlet near Al-'Urj are probably important spawning grounds and nursery areas for shrimps and fish.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: The mangrove and doum palms support an interesting breeding avifauna, including Butorides striatus, Milvus migrans, Pandion haliaetus (one pair), Cypsiurus parvus, Acrocephalus stentoreus (probable), A. baeticatus (probable), Ploceus rueppelli and Lonchura cantans. Dromas ardeola is present throughout the year (maximum 166 in April) and probably breeds; at least 24 pairs were observed feeding on mudflats near Al-'Urj in June. Sterna saundersi also probably breeds (10-20 pairs). A very wide variety of waterfowl occur on passage and in winter; counts since 1986 have included up to 90 Pelecanus rufescens, 14 Egretta gularis, 20 Platalea leucorodia, 400 Phoenicopterus ruber, 1,250 P. minor (March 1995), 20 Tadorna tadorna, 400 Himantopus himantopus, 90 Recurvirostra avosetta, 300 Charadrius hiaticula, hundreds of C. alexandrinus, 50 C. mongolus, 100 Limosa limosa, 29 L. lapponica, 240 Numenius phaeopus (April), 26 N. arquata, 200 Tringa totanus, 50 T. cinerea, 150 T. glareola, 100 Calidris alba, 220 C. minuta, 45 Arenaria interpres, 56 Limicola falcinellus, 150 Philomachus pugnax, 400 Larus hemprichii, 100 L. leucophthalmus, 50 L. genei, 120 L. ridibundus, 200 L. fuscus, 200 L. cachinnans, 30 Gelochelidon nilotica, 20 Sterna caspia, 100 S. bergii, 300 S. bengalensis, 100 S. sandvicensis, 150 S. saundersi and 80 Chlidonias leucopterus. The area has never been properly surveyed, and these counts are likely to represent only a small proportion of the birds present. Scarce migrants have included Ardea goliath (April 1979), Vanellus leucurus and Larus ichthyaetus.

The genet Genetta felina occurs in the area, and dolphins, probably including Tursiops sp., are frequent offshore. The Green Turtle Chelonia mydas is common offshore, and Leatherback Dermochelys coriacea has been recorded.

Noteworthy flora: The site contains a 5-10 ha stand of well developed mangrove.

Scientific research and facilities: The area has been visited on a number of occasions by ornithologists and bird-watchers, and mid-winter waterfowl counts have been undertaken by the Department of Biology, University of Sana'a, each year since 1992.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Brooks et al. (1987); Cornwallis & Porter (1982); Evans (1994); Phillips (1982).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 2a & 3c. An important stretch of coastline for passage and wintering waterfowl, notably shorebirds, gulls and terns; especially important for Pelecanus rufescens, Larus hemprichii and L. leucophthalmus. Also important for sea turtles.

Source: See references.

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Al-Hudaydah Sewage Lagoons (6)

Location: 1449'N, 4257'E; on either side of the main coastal highway about 10 km north of Al-Hudaydah city, Al-Hudaydah Governorate.

Area: c.50 ha.

Altitude: Near sea level.

Overview: A group of sewage lagoons on coastal sabkha north of the city of Al-Hudaydah, remarkable for the diversity of migratory waterbirds which has occurred there.

Physical and ecological features: A complex of small lagoons and marshes created by overflow from a sewage treatment plant between sandy desert and coastal sabkha near the northern outskirts of Al-Hudaydah. A short stream takes water from the marshes across a narrow strip of sabkha into the adjacent shallow sea bay where there are extensive inter-tidal mudflats and small patches of stunted mangroves. There are a few scattered Acacia trees and date palms around the lagoons.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None.

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: None, other than occasional livestock grazing in the surrounding area. A major highway and road bridge cross the site.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: The wetland is particularly vulnerable to any improvements in sewage treatment and/or diversion of water for other uses, e.g. irrigation.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: An important staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl, regularly attracting freshwater species, such as dabbling ducks Anas spp., which are scarce elsewhere in Yemen. At least 70 species of waterfowl have been recorded since the early 1980s, including up to 60 Tachybaptus ruficollis, 13 Podiceps nigricollis, 40 Bubulcus ibis, 100 Plegadis falcinellus (winter visitor), 400 Phoenicopterus ruber, 500 P. minor (November 1993-March 1994), 32 Anas crecca, 42 A. acuta, 60 A. clypeata, 30 A. querquedula, 117 Himantopus himantopus, 40 Recurvirostra avosetta, 60 Vanellus spinosus, 100 Tringa totanus, 15 T. stagnatilis, 12 T. nebularia, 30 T. glareola, 200 Calidris minuta, 12 C. temminckii, 82 C. ferruginea, 40 Philomachus pugnax, 150 Larus ridibundus, 50 L. genei and 68 Chlidonias leucopterus. The Demoiselle Crane Grus virgo appears to be a regular winter visitor in small numbers; small flocks were recorded in three of the four winters from 1991 to 1994, the largest flock being 36 in February 1991. A Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris was present in early January 1984. Other unusual passage migrants or winter visitors have included Threskiornis aethiopicus (maximum 4, probably a regular visitor in small numbers), Tadorna ferruginea (maximum 8), Aythya nyroca (maximum 6), Vanellus leucurus, Gallinago stenura, Limosa limosa (maximum 8) and Motacilla citreola. About ten pairs of Vanellus spinosus breed on the surrounding flats, and Himantopus himantopus has bred.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: The area has been visited on a number of occasions by ornithologists and bird-watchers, and mid-winter waterfowl counts have been undertaken by the Department of Biology, University of Sana'a, each year since 1991.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Brooks et al. (1987); Gretton (1991),

Reasons for inclusion: 2b & 3b. One of few large freshwater wetlands on the coastal plain of the southern Red Sea, attracting a great diversity of migratory waterfowl including several species rare elsewhere in southern Arabia.

Source: See references.

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Red Sea Coast: Nukhaylah to Wadi Nakhlah (7)

Location: 1438'N, 4258'E to 1353'N, 4313'E; on the southern Red Sea coast, 20-110 km south of Al-Hudaydah, Al-Hudaydah Governorate.

Area: c.12,500 ha.

Altitude: Sea level.

Overview: A 90-km stretch of Red Sea coast with a variety of habitats including inter-tidal flats, tidal inlet, coastal lagoon, mangroves, sabkha, spring-fed marshes, seagrass beds and coral reefs, along with the lower portion of Wadi Zabid, one of the seven largest wadis in western Yemen.

Physical and ecological features: The site comprises about 90 km of coast from the village of Nukhaylah, 20 km south of Al-Hudaydah, south to the mouth of Wadi Nakhlah, 10 km north of Al-Khawkhah, as well as the lower section of Wadi Zabid which reaches the sea at the village of Al-Fazzah (1407'N, 4306'E). The coast is flat, with exposed sandy beaches, large areas of sabkha, especially west of Ghulayfiqah, and patches of inter-tidal mudflats in the more sheltered areas, e.g. just north of Nukhaylah (c.350 ha) and at Ghulayfiqah. A small tidal inlet at Nukhaylah supports a fringe of patchy mangrove Avicennia marina, about 2 km long. There is a small lagoon, about 200 m long, at Al-Fazzah, separated from the sea by a narrow belt of sabkha. Substantial seepage of freshwater occurs at many places along the coast, supporting extensive grassy pastures, Typha beds with Juncus sp., Pandanus thickets and open, shallow, brackish pools on the coastal flats. There are about 80 ha of doum palms Hyphaene sp. and grassy flats at Nukhaylah, and extensive plantations of date palms Phoenix at Nukhaylah, Ghulayfiqah, Al-Mujaylis and Ra's al-Buqa. Coastal sand dunes are common behind the beach, especially around Al-Fazzah. Salt-tolerant bushes such as Suaeda sp. and Zygophyllum sp. grow in sandy areas above the high water mark. Seagrass beds are particularly well developed and widespread offshore, and there are small amounts of coral reef, especially in the north. The narrow, sandy promontory of Ra's al-Shi'b in the north (1430'N, 4258'E) juts 25 km out into the Red Sea and is tipped by two flat, sandy islands. There is a small area of reef-rock off Ra's al-Buqa in the south (1404'N, 4306'E).

Wadi Zabid is one of the largest wadis along the west coast of Yemen. The wadi always contains some water in deep pools, and surface flow occasionally reaches the sea during the rainy season (July to September). The wadi floor supports dense thickets of native shrubs and trees, as well as many gardens, orchards and date palm plantations.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The site has been identified as two adjacent Important Bird Areas (Nukhaylah-Ghulayfiqah, 9,000 ha, and Al-Fazzah, 3,500 ha) by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: The major human activity along the coast is artisanal fishing. The coastal grassy flats are grazed by domestic livestock.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: Overgrazing by domestic livestock may be a problem on the grassy flats.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: There is a deserted Turkish fort 2 km north of Nukhaylah.

Noteworthy fauna: An important staging and wintering area for a wide variety of migratory waterfowl. Surveys have been brief and very incomplete, but there is good reason to expect that numbers of several waterfowl species exceed 1% of the regional populations in winter and/or during the migration seasons. Waterfowl counts between October and February have included up to 29 Pelecanus rufescens, 31 Egretta gularis, 33 Platalea leucorodia, 586 Anas penelope, 100 A. acuta, 35 A. clypeata, 32 Recurvirostra avosetta, 500 Charadrius alexandrinus, 60 C. hiaticula, 200 C. mongolus, 55 C. leschenaultii, 70 Pluvialis fulva, 400 Calidris minuta, 100 C. alpina, 200 C. ferruginea, 140 Limosa lapponica, 300 Tringa totanus, 15 T. stagnatilis, 46 T. nebularia, 200 T. cinerea, 35 Larus leucophthalmus (Al-Fazzah, November), 32 Gelochelidon nilotica, 120 Sterna repressa and 127 S. saundersi. Threskiornis aethiopicus is a scarce winter visitor; 2-4 have been recorded on a number of occasions between October and March. Other unusual passage migrants and winter visitors have included Grus virgo (one, November), Charadrius asiaticus (one, January), Vanellus leucurus (three, December), Calidris canutus (19, January) and Rhynchops flavirostris (one, November 1979). Mid-winter waterfowl counts inland along Wadi Zabid since 1991 have included up to 414 Bubulcus ibis, 6 Scopus umbretta, 80 Ciconia abdimii, 8 Gallinula chloropus, 7 Hydrophasianus chirurgus and 4 Tringa ochropus. Vanellus spinosus breeds around Nukhaylah (up to 9 birds), at Al-Fazzah (up to 26 birds) and in Wadi Zabid; Ciconia abdimii breeds in Wadi Zabid.

Fish, amphibians and the terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa occur in permanent pools in Wadi Zabid.

Noteworthy flora: The site contains many grassy flats and brackish marshes maintained by underground seepage of fresh water, and there are extensive, well developed beds of seagrasses offshore.

Scientific research and facilities: Various parts of the coast have been visited on a number of occasions by ornithologists and bird-watchers, and mid-winter waterfowl counts have been undertaken in Wadi Zabid by the Department of Biology, University of Sana'a, each year since 1991.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Brooks et al. (1987); Evans (1994); Phillips (1982).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 2a, 2b & 3b (probably also 3c). A diverse and relatively undisturbed stretch of coastline with natural brackish marshes and extensive seagrass beds, important for passage and wintering waterfowl (notably Pelecanus rufescens, Threskiornis aethiopicus and Larus leucophthalmus). Wadi Zabid is a good example of a large wadi system with permanently flowing water.

Source: See references.

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Red Sea Coast: Al-Khawkhah to Al-Mukha (8)

Location: 1348'-1319'N, 4314'-4318'E; on the southern Red Sea coast between Al-Khawkhah and Al-Mukha, about 80 km east of Ta'izz, Ta'izz Governorate.

Area: c.7,000 ha.

Altitude: Sea level.

Overview: A 60-km stretch of the Red Sea coast with inter-tidal flats, mangroves, sabkha, salt pans, seagrass beds and coral reefs.

Physical and ecological features: The site comprises about 60 km of coastline along the southern Red Sea between the towns of Al-Khawkhah in the north and Al-Mukha in the south, and includes the fishing villages of Mawshij, Yakhtul and Al-Ru'ays. The northern coast is dominated by narrow sand beaches, the southern coast by large areas of bare salt flats (sabkha) with some salt pans. At Al-Ru'ays, there is a stretch of inter-tidal mudflats associated with underground freshwater seepage which supports 10-15 ha of mangrove Avicennia marina and about 100 ha of palms (Phoenix sp. and Hyphaene sp.). Salt-tolerant bushes (Suaeda sp. and Zygophyllum sp.) and grasses (including Odyssea sp.) are very common along most of the coast, especially on low dunes and fringes of sabkha. Salvadora bushes are locally common inland, and seagrass beds and coral reefs occur offshore, particularly in the south. There are some plantations of date palms along the coast north of Yakhtul.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The site has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: The establishment of marine parks has been considered.

Land use: Artisanal fishing is widespread along the coast, and pelagic fisheries are based at Al-Mukha and Al-Khawkhah; there are also active salt-pans and a power station on the coast at Al-Mukha.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: The area is currently relatively undisturbed. Any major depletion of the water table, caused by the damming of wadis or unsustainable pumping of groundwater for irrigation projects inland on the Tihamah, would probably have severe consequences for the mudflat, mangrove and palm-grove habitats and for the associated fishing communities.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: The inter-tidal mudflats are an important staging and wintering area for a wide variety of migratory waterfowl, particularly shorebirds. Large numbers of gulls and terns (Laridae) roost at Al-Mukha and Al-Khawkhah, associated with the fisheries there. Waterfowl observed during the migration seasons and/or in winter in recent years have included up to 38 Platalea leucorodia, 130 Dromas ardeola, 100 Charadrius mongolus, 46 Pluvialis fulva, 44 Tringa cinerea, 16 Limicola falcinellus, 200 Larus hemprichii, 900 L. ridibundus, 200 L. fuscus/cachinnans, 140 Sterna bengalensis, 120 S. sandvicensis, 50 S. hirundo, 170 S. repressa and 40 S. saundersi. The globally threatened Slender-billed Curlew Numenius tenuirostris is possibly a very rare passage migrant or winter visitor; two were observed at Al-Mukha and at Al-Khawkhah on consecutive days in October 1988. Larus leucophthalmus is a regular non-breeding visitor throughout the year, with numbers reaching a peak in spring (100 in April). Puffinus persicus is a regular non-breeding visitor offshore (maximum 100, April); up to 30 Sula leucogaster and 100 Sterna anaethetus have also been recorded offshore in spring. Pandion haliaetus occurs in winter, and Falco concolor is a scarce passage migrant in summer. Breeding species in the palm groves and mangroves include Butorides striatus and Acrocephalus stentoreus.

The seagrass beds are important foraging areas for Green Turtles Chelonia mydas and possibly also Hawksbills Eretmochelys imbricata.

Noteworthy flora: The site contains at least one 10-15 ha stand of mangroves.

Scientific research and facilities: None, other than preliminary faunal and floral surveys.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Brooks et al. (1987); Cornwallis & Porter (1982); Evans (1994); Gretton (1991); TMRU (1987).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 2a & 3b (probably also 3c). A relatively undisturbed stretch of coastline, important for passage and wintering shorebirds, gulls and terns (notably Larus leucophthalmus) and also for sea turtles.

Source: See references.

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Dhubab Flats (9)

Location: 1255'N, 4325'E; about 30 km north-northwest of the headland overlooking the entrance to the Red Sea (Bab al-Mandab), Ta'izz Governorate.

Area: 100-200 ha.

Altitude: Sea level.

Overview: An area of coastal lagoons and saline flats on the Red Sea coast near the extreme southwestern tip of Yemen.

Physical and ecological features: A stretch of at least 3 km of coastal lagoons and saline flats (sabkha) extending south from the village of Dhubab and possibly continuing to the Bab al-Mandab area. To the east, a relatively undisturbed succession of semi-natural vegetation extends from the coast to the foothills across the stony Tihamah plain, with extensive dwarf-shrubland, grassland and Acacia-Commiphora bushland.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. Dhubab Flats have been included in a much larger site (Bab al-Mandab-Mawza, c.100,000 ha) identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: An undisturbed area due to military security. There is no evidence of oil pollution being a problem on the flats, but a small rise in sea-level would probably cause their disappearance.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: The lagoons and salt flats appear to be a good area for shorebirds notably Dromas ardeola, Tringa cinerea and Limicola falcinellus; Dromas ardeola may breed. A comprehensive survey of the whole complex would doubtless show the Dhubab flats to be one of the richest coastal wetlands in Yemen. Offshore there are major migrations of seabirds (notably Puffinus persicus and Oceanites oceanicus), shorebirds (notably Numenius phaeopus and Phalaropus lobatus) skuas Stercorarius spp., gulls Larus spp. and terns (notably Sterna bergii and S. bengalensis). Larus leucophthalmus is a regular passage migrant offshore (maximum 45).

The Green Turtle Chelonia mydas occurs offshore and may nest on the beach.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: None, other than one very brief ornithological survey of a small part of the area.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Evans (1994).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, (2a) & 3b. Probably a very important staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl including Larus leucophthalmus, and possibly an important area for sea turtles, but very poorly known.

Source: See references.

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Ta'izz Sewage Lagoons and Marsh (10)

Location: 1339'N, 4400'E; about 10 km north of Ta'izz city, Ta'izz Governorate.

Area: c.250 ha.

Altitude: c.1,250 m.

Overview: A group of sewage lagoons and a series of natural spring-fed marshes in a wadi system in the southern highlands near the city of Ta'izz, of great importance for passage and wintering waterfowl, and a regular wintering area for a small population of the globally endangered Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita.

Physical and ecological features: Ta'izz Sewage Lagoons comprise a group of three sewage settling (evaporation) ponds covering about 8 ha. The ponds were created in the early 1980s by shallow dams across Wadi al-Malih, and are filled with semi-treated effluent from Ta'izz. There are extensive stretches of shallow, open shore with scattered grass tussocks and Tamarix bushes, but little other marginal vegetation. A few drowned, dead trees remain standing in the ponds. The water-level remains relatively constant throughout the year. There is a good supply of groundwater in the area, and locally in valley bottoms there are permanently wet marshes of grasses and Juncus (close-cropped by cattle) with small stands of Typha sp., up to 2 ha in extent, in the wettest areas. The principal marshes are Al-Haima Marsh in Wadi al-Malih, just below the lowest of the three sewage lagoons (1340'N 4400'E, c.200 ha), and at the site of a former reservoir, the Imam's Reservoir (1338'N 4400'E, 2 ha), the dam of which burst in April 1986. The marshes have a deep, blackish soil layer, resembling peat and apparently saline. A third large Typha marsh and area of wet grassland at Hidhran, in Wadi Dabab (1336'N 4356'E, 25 ha), about 10 km west of Ta'izz, dried up in the mid-1980s, presumably because of groundwater depletion further up the wadi. No trace of this marsh remained in early 1994. The vegetation on the surrounding stony hillsides is dominated by dense, low thickets of succulents (including species of Euphorbia, Caralluma, Aloe, Adenium and Cissus) set in sparse Acacia-Commiphora bushland, with frequent Anisotis shrubs. Sorghum cultivation is extensive in wadi bottoms, with fields often being lined with pollarded Acacia and Ziziphus hedges, and there are some groves of date palms.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The wetlands have been included in a much larger site (Ta'izz Wadis, 11,000 ha) identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: Human population density is high, with numerous small villages and isolated homesteads throughout the area. The groundwater is heavily exploited to supply Ta'izz. Surrounding hills are heavily grazed by sheep and goats, and the Acacia-Commiphora bushland is a major source of fuelwood for the region. The main Ta'izz rubbish dump lies immediately north of Hidhran.

Possible changes in land use: The sewage settling ponds were built in about 1982 and are likely to disappear if further water treatment works are built in order to re-use the waste-water, e.g. for irrigation.

Disturbances and threats: The close presence of the expanding city of Ta'izz is placing severe pressure on the natural resources and biodiversity of the site. Lowering of groundwater levels due to excessive pumping has already led to habitat destruction: boreholes in Wadi al-Malih supply nearby factories, and also possibly drinking water to the Ta'izz region. The large Typha marsh and permanent stream at Hidhran dried up between September 1984 and August 1985, for reasons that are unclear, but which presumably relate to water extraction higher up in the watershed. More than 30% of the grassy marsh in Wadi al-Malih (a feeding area for Geronticus eremita) has been deep-ploughed for conversion to cultivation since 1985, even though the soil appears to be saline. Large areas of succulent shrubland on hillsides have been, and are being, cleared due to the high regional demand for fuelwood and agricultural land. Harvesting of the remaining Commiphora trees for fuelwood appears to be at unsustainable levels. However, direct persecution of waterbirds does not appear to be a problem; most birds, including Geronticus eremita, are relatively approachable and apparently untroubled by human presence.

Hydrological and biophysical values: The pools may be providing some local groundwater recharge, albeit possibly polluted.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Ta'izz sewage lagoons and marshes comprise the most extensive area of freshwater wetlands in Yemen, and as such support a greater diversity of waterfowl than any other site inland. The wetlands are particularly important as a staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl, but also support resident breeding populations of several species, including Tachybaptus ruficollis (up to 158 birds in August), Bubulcus ibis (possible), Scopus umbretta, Ciconia abdimii (up to 16 in March), Gallinula chloropus (common) and Fulica atra (bred in 1985). The Spotted Thick-knee Burhinus capensis was found nesting near the lagoons in 1993. A pair of Podiceps nigricollis was observed nest-building in 1985, and Aythya nyroca and Porphyrio porphyrio have been recorded in summer and may breed. The Arabian Waxbill Estrilda rufibarba (an Arabian endemic) is a common resident around the marshes, occurring in hundreds.

The lagoons and marshes regularly support over 2,000 waterfowl during the migration seasons and in winter. At least 86 species of waterfowl have been recorded, including up to 10 Podiceps nigricollis, 340 Tachybaptus ruficollis, 520 Bubulcus ibis, 22 Egretta garzetta, 152 Plegadis falcinellus, 750 Ciconia ciconia (March), 15 C. nigra (October), 52 Phoenicopterus ruber, 100 Anas penelope, 11 A. strepera, 530 A. crecca, 140 A. platyrhynchos, 600 A. acuta, 800 A. clypeata, 50 A. querquedula, 150 Aythya nyroca, 70 A. fuligula, 400 Gallinula chloropus, 420 Fulica atra, 450 Himantopus himantopus, 49 Recurvirostra avosetta, 10 Vanellus spinosus, 21 Gallinago gallinago, 14 Tringa erythropus, 50 T. nebularia, 60 T. ochropus (August), 40 T. glareola, 125 Actitis hypoleucos (August), 50 Calidris minuta, 15 C. temminckii, 45 Philomachus pugnax, 50 Larus ridibundus and 45 Chlidonias leucopterus. Other wetland birds occurring regularly on passage and/or in winter include Anthus cervinus (maximum 12, March), Motacilla flava (common) and M. citreola (maximum 10, March). Scarce migrants have included Botaurus stellaris, Casmerodius albus (maximum 8), Ardea melanocephala, Phoenicopterus minor, Tadorna ferruginea, Grus grus, G. virgo (maximum 8), Porzana porzana, P. parva, P. pusilla, Hydrophasianus chirurgus, Glareola pratincola, Charadrius asiaticus, Pluvialis fulva, Gallinago stenura, G. media, Lymnocryptes minimus, Calidris acuminata (one in December 1982), Phalaropus lobatus, Larus ichthyaetus, L. armenicus and Chlidonias niger.

The grassy marshes adjacent to the sewage lagoons are extremely important as the only known regular wintering area for the eastern population of the globally endangered Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita. Bald Ibises were first discovered in the area in April 1985 (one on 14 April); numbers then built up through the summer and by autumn there were 14 birds, including two juveniles. Most of these remained throughout the winter, and were last seen in mid-February 1986 (11 birds). Smaller numbers of ibises have been recorded in most winters since then. At least four (and possibly eight) were present in January 1987. No information is available for the next three winters; however, there were five in December 1990, two in January 1992, three (two adults and an immature) from at least October to December 1992, six in January 1993, and four in January 1994. In recent years, the ibises have apparently stayed only a short time at the marsh, and have left by mid- or late February. Parts of the grassy marshes favoured by the birds have been destroyed since 1986, and this may account for the decline in numbers of ibises appearing at the site and the reduced length of their stay.

The area is very rich in birds of prey. The wetlands and the rubbish dump at Hidhran attract large numbers of post-breeding, migrant and wintering raptors to feed, drink and roost, including Milvus migrans (maximum 610), Circus aeruginosus (maximum 7), Aquila clanga (maximum 10), A. heliaca (maximum 12), A. rapax (maximum 106), A. nipalensis (maximum 150) and Falco cherrug (maximum 3). Breeding species include Melierax metabates, Aquila rapax, Falco biarmicus and F. pelegrinoides. The wadis in the Ta'izz area support a large proportion of the Afrotropical land-birds characteristic of southern Arabia.

All specimens of the Queen of Sheba's Gazelle Gazella bilkis of known provenance came from this area during the 1950s. The species is certainly now extinct at this site, and may well be globally extinct. Reptiles includes the endemic chameleon Chamaeleo calyptratus; fishes include the Cyprinid Garra tibanica.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: Numerous bird surveys have been carried out by visiting ornithologists and bird-watchers since 1985. Mid-winter waterfowl counts were undertaken by M.I. Evans in 1986 and 1987, and have been undertaken by the Department of Biology, University of Sana'a, in each year since 1991.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Brooks et al. (1987); Evans (1994); Morris (1993).

Reasons for inclusion: 1d, 2a, 2b & 3c. One of very few large freshwater wetlands in the interior of southern Arabia, with a good example of natural freshwater marsh, a rare and threatened habitat in Arabia. Very important as a wintering area for the globally endangered Northern Bald Ibis Geronticus eremita, and remarkable for the great diversity of waterfowl occurring on migration and in winter.

Source: See references.

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Wadi Warazan (11)

Location: 1325'N, 4415'E; about 8 km southeast of Ad Dimnah and 30 km southeast of Ta'izz city, Ta'izz Governorate.

Area: 90 ha.

Altitude: c.1,200 m.

Overview: A small, natural marsh fed by seepage in a large wadi in the southern highlands.

Physical and ecological features: A water-logged wadi bottom with a permanently wet grassy marsh. The dominant plant cover is dense coarse rhizomatous tussocky grasses, heavily grazed by cattle. The soil is deep, black and peaty, and slightly saline. There are several small patches of Typha scattered throughout the marsh. Water levels are highest between July and September when the main wadi stream is up to 30 cm deep. The wadi rises in the mountains to the south of Ta'izz, and flows southeast to reach the sea at Aden.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None.

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: Domestic livestock, mainly cattle, graze in the marsh.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: Grazing pressure is heavy, but otherwise there were no obvious threats to the area in 1986.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: The wadi and marsh support a variety of waterfowl in winter, mainly in small numbers. Mid-winter counts between in 1986 and 1994 have included up to 50 Bubulcus ibis, 7 Egretta garzetta, 16 Ardea cinerea, 16 Scopus umbretta, one Ciconia nigra, 12 Gallinula chloropus, 16 Hydrophasianus chirurgus, 50 Tringa ochropus and two Lymnocryptes minimus.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: Mid-winter waterfowl counts have been undertaken in Wadi Warazan by the Department of Biology, University of Sana'a, each year since 1991.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

Reasons for inclusion: 1d. A good example of a natural freshwater marsh (a rare ecosystem in Arabia) in a large wadi system with permanently flowing water.

Source: See references.

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Aden Mudflats and Marsh (12)

Location: 1245'N, 4502'E; immediately to the west of the city of Aden, Aden Governorate.

Area: c.10,000 ha.

Altitude: Sea level.

Overview: Coastal mud-flats, salt pans, sandy beaches and a freshwater marsh fed by treated sewage, around the city of Aden on the Gulf of Aden coast.

Physical and ecological features: The site comprises coastal wetlands around the town and harbour of Aden, including inter-tidal mudflats, salt pans, a stretch of sandy beach at Khor Maksar, and a large area of marsh created by a long-established sewage outflow at Hiswa. The outer harbour is over 10 m deep at low tide. Steep, rocky, rather barren hills flank either side of the harbour, and reach a peak at about 540 m. There is a refuse tip at Dar Musabein.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The site has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: Little is known about present human activities and uses of the area apart from as a harbour for shipping; possible uses are artisanal fishing, aquaculture, salt production and recreation.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: No current information is available. The inter-tidal and shallow sub-tidal areas are presumably threatened by reclamation and dredging, and water pollution is likely to be a problem. An introduced population of the House Crow Corvus splendens underwent a population explosion during the 1970s and early 1980s, eventually numbering hundreds of thousands and becoming a public health hazard and a major nuisance; a control programme has been partially successful.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: An important staging and wintering area for migratory waterfowl, especially shorebirds, gulls and terns. The most important feeding area for shorebirds is the mudflats at Khor Maksar. Species recorded on passage and/or in winter have included Pelecanus rufescens (150, July), Egretta gularis (300, November), Plegadis falcinellus (135, November), Platalea leucorodia (170, September), Phoenicopterus ruber (several thousands, November), Dromas ardeola (300, September), Recurvirostra avosetta (100, November), Himantopus himantopus (300, November), Charadrius mongolus/leschenaultii (1,200, August), Pluvialis squatarola (250, November), Calidris ferruginea (1,500, January), Limosa limosa (200, November), Tringa totanus (500, August), Limicola falcinellus (125, May), Larus hemprichii (abundant), L. leucophthalmus (small numbers), Gelochelidon nilotica (200, winter), Sterna caspia (200, November) and S. bergii (1,300, August). Huge flocks of S. bergii have been recorded in March, most likely concentrations of pre-breeding birds from the very large colony on the Saba islands (Djibouti) southwest of the Bab al-Mandab. There has been at least one record of wintering or passage Grus virgo in the 1980s (40 at Hiswa). Rare passage migrants have included the globally threatened Asian Dowitcher Limnodromus semipalmatus.

Neophron percnopterus is a common non-breeding visitor all year round; numbers have greatly declined since the end of last century, when as many as 1,350 roosted on the hills above the town in October. Aquila clanga (maximum 15-20, November) and Aquila heliaca (maximum 5, March) are regular passage migrants and winter visitors.

Reptiles include the Arabian endemic Pristurus ornithocephalus.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: The avifauna of the Aden area has been well documented by expatriate ornithologists resident in the area, particularly during the 1950s.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Ash (1984); Evans (1994); Smith (1956); Yerbury (1896).

Reasons for inclusion: 2a & 3c. An important staging and wintering area for a wide variety of migratory waterfowl, notably shorebirds, gulls (including Larus leucophthalmus) and terns, with at least six species occurring in numbers exceeding 1% of the regional population.

Source: See references.

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Wadi Jahr (13)

Location: 1358'N, 4623'E; north of the Lawdar to Habban road, about 60 km east of Lawdar and 80 km southwest of Ataq, Abyan Governorate.

Area: c.500 ha.

Altitude: 600 m.

Overview: A large wadi in the hills of southern Yemen, with permanent or near-permanent surface flow and permanent deep pools; one of the largest wadis in the Gulf of Aden drainage.

Physical and ecological features: A deep rocky wadi up to 1,000 m wide running east to west at the edge of a rather bare, stony, silt plateau. Surface water flow along the wadi bed may be permanent, and there are some large pools with beds of Typha sp. The gravel floor of the wadi is dominated by Tamarix bushes, with some Acacia sp. and Commiphora sp., locally in dense clumps. The plateau vegetation is dominated by Acacia/Commiphora bushland, with the herb Aerva javanica as the dominant ground cover.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The site has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: There is some rain-fed agriculture, and honey production is an important activity. The whole area is thinly populated.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: None known.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: The wadi supports a range of bird species typical of the vegetated areas of interior southern Yemen. Scopus umbretta breeds. Estrilda rufibarba occurs here at the eastern edge of its range and is associated with the Typha beds. Considerable numbers of migrant passerines occur in spring.

The terrapin Pelomedusa subrufa is present in the slower moving waters of the wadi. The toad Bufo arabicus and the frog Euphlyctis ehrenbergii, both Arabian endemics, occur in large numbers, and Wadi Jahr is clearly an important breeding locality for these two species.

Noteworthy flora: The wadi supports relatively luxuriant vegetation in the otherwise barren landscape of interior southern Yemen.

Scientific research and facilities: None, other than preliminary faunal and floral surveys.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Evans (1994).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 2b & 2d. A good example of a large wadi system with permanently flowing water and relatively luxuriant vegetation; the wadi supports large populations of two endemic amphibians.

Source: See references.

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Wadi Hajar (14)

Location: 1406'N, 4842'E; near the Gulf of Aden coast, about 70 km southwest of Al-Mukalla, Shabwa Governorate.

Area: 50-100 ha.

Altitude: Near sea level.

Overview: A large wadi with permanent surface flow, dammed near its mouth to create a small lake which supports some marsh vegetation; one of the largest wadis in the Gulf of Aden drainage.

Physical and ecological features: A sandy wadi with permanently running water that drains into the Gulf of Aden southwest of Al-Mukalla. The river has been dammed 3-4 km from its mouth and extensive Typha beds have developed. The whole wadi system and its associated sandy fringes have been stabilized by the planting of the introduced shrub Prosopis juliflora, and there is much agriculture in the surrounding area.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The site has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: There appears to be extensive clearance of native trees for firewood and agriculture, and the wadi is much used for local water supply and washing.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: While the wadi continues as a permanent running water system, the threats to this area are relatively low. The damming of the river 3-4 km from the mouth has not so far reduced the flow to a level of concern, and indeed may have enhanced the wadi through the creation of Typha beds. Agricultural intensification away from the wadi banks is not a serious threat but clearance of native trees may be. Disturbance from human activities is high but the impenetrable nature of the Prosopis juliflora scrub mitigates this.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: The wadi has an unusually diverse flora and fauna, being one of the few permanently running freshwater streams in southern Yemen. The Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata apparently breeds in the wadi (the only known site in Arabia) and the White-breasted Waterhen Amaurornis phoenicurus has been recorded in habitat which appears suitable for breeding. There are high densities of many bird species typical of the south Yemen lowlands, and the wadi is clearly an important resting and feeding area for migrants, especially warblers (Sylviidae).

Mammals include Ruppell's Fox Vulpes ruppelli; its occurrence here represents a significant southerly range extension of this little known species. Leopard Panthera pardus, Wolf Canis lupus and Nubian Ibex Capra nubiana are said to occur in the surrounding hills. The most notable reptiles present are two species with very restricted ranges, the semaphore gecko Pristurus ornithocephalus endemic to south and west Yemen, and a gecko Stenodactylus pulcher confined to the coast of southern Yemen. The toad Bufo dhuforensis and the frog Euphlytis ehrenbergii, both Arabian endemics, are present in the wadi.

Noteworthy flora: The rare endemic Bankouale Palm Livistona carinensis is known only from Madi in the upper reaches of Wadi Hajar.

Scientific research and facilities: None, other than preliminary faunal and floral surveys.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Evans (1994).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 2b & 2d. A good example of a large wadi with permanently flowing water and an unusually diverse flora and fauna including several species of reptiles and amphibians endemic to southern Arabia; the only known breeding site for the Malachite Kingfisher Alcedo cristata in Arabia.

Source: See references.

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Qishn Beach (15)

Location: 1526'N, 5145'E; near the village of Qishn on the Gulf of Aden coast, about 60 km west-southwest of Ra's Fartak, Al-Ghayda Governorate.

Area: c.100 ha.

Altitude: Sea level.

Overview: A 6-km stretch of gently shelving beach on the Gulf of Aden coast, especially important for Sooty Gulls Larus hemprichii and possibly a nesting site for Green Turtles Chelonia mydas.

Physical and ecological features: A gently shelving, sandy beach, about 6 km in length, backed by sand dunes and, near Qishn village, by cultivated fields and groves of date palms. There are a few small pools between the beach and the sand dunes. The track to Ra's Fartak runs along the ridge of the dunes.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. Qishn Beach has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: None known.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: Qishn Beach is probably the most important stretch of coast in Yemen for non-breeding Larus hemprichii; over 7,800 have been recorded in spring. The beach is probably also an important staging area for migratory shorebirds, especially Calidris alba (maximum 300). Gelochelidon nilotica appears to be an abundant passage migrant in autumn (September-December). The seas offshore are very important for gatherings of Phalacrocorax nigrogularis with concentrations of up to 30,000 feeding and roosting along the coast in winter; it is not known whether or not these are local breeding birds.

Indo-pacific Hump-backed Dolphins Sousa chinensis are common in inshore waters, and Green Turtles Chelonia mydas possibly nest along the beach.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: None, other than preliminary faunal surveys.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Evans (1994).

Reasons for inclusion: 3c (possibly also 2a). A very important area for non-breeding Larus hemprichii (up to 20% of the world population), and possibly also an important nesting site for Chelonia mydas.

Source: See references.

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Abdullah Gharib Lagoons (16)

Location: 1621'N, 5220'E; on the Arabian Sea coast, 20 km northeast of Al-Ghayda, Al-Ghayda Governorate.

Area: c.50 ha.

Altitude: Near sea level.

Overview: A group of brackish to saline lagoons on the Arabian Sea coast, especially important for gulls and terns (Laridae).

Physical and ecological features: A complex of large, brackish to saline coastal lagoons situated on either side of the village of Abdullah Gharib. The lagoons are separated from the sea by sand dunes; they are surrounded by extensive fringes of saline mud, and are set in a dusty sand and gravel plain with a poor cover of halophytic plants.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The Abdullah Gharib lagoons have been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: None known.

Land use: No information.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: The only likely threat to the lagoons is excessive disturbance of wildlife by human activity.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: An important feeding and roosting area for gulls and terns (Laridae), and to a lesser extent shorebirds. Counts in spring have included over 1,700 Larus hemprichii, 1,700 Sterna bergii and 600 S. sandvicensis. Smaller numbers of other terns occur, notably S. caspia. This coast attracts very large numbers of migrant gulls in autumn, with 30,000 (80% Larus fuscus) counted along a 50 km stretch of coast in November.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: None, other than preliminary ornithological surveys.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Evans (1994).

Reasons for inclusion: 1a, 3a & 3c. A good example of a coastal lagoon system and an extremely important feeding and roosting area for gulls and terns (Laridae), with at least three species occurring in numbers exceeding 1% of their regional populations.

Source: See references.

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Qalansiya Lagoon (17)

Location: 1242'N, 5330'E; near the village of Qalansiya on the northwest coast of Socotra Island, 55 km west of Hadiboh, Aden Governorate.

Area: c.100 ha.

Altitude: Sea level.

Overview: A tidal inlet (formerly a brackish lagoon) on the northwest coast of Socotra Island; probably the most important wetland on Socotra but very poorly known.

Physical and ecological features: A coastal wetland, said to be a brackish lagoon in 1964 and apparently then sealed off from the sea by a sand bar, but now used as a bad-weather harbour for fishing boats and presumably, therefore, a tidal inlet open to the sea. Inland, there is a lowland plain with Croton shrubland which was reported to be relatively thick and tall in 1964.

Land tenure: No information.

Conservation measures taken: None. The lagoon has been identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International (Evans, 1994).

Conservation measures proposed: The island of Socotra is currently being considered for nomination as a Biosphere Reserve under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Programme.

Land use: The lagoon is used as a harbour for fishing boats during bad weather. The local fishery is mainly for sprats and shellfish.

Possible changes in land use: No information.

Disturbances and threats: No information.

Hydrological and biophysical values: No information.

Social and cultural values: No information.

Noteworthy fauna: A variety of waterfowl were recorded during a brief survey in November 1993, including Egretta gularis, Ardea sp., ducks, shorebirds, gulls and terns. Larus hemprichii was common, and at least 1,500 gulls Larus spp. were seen coming into roost at sunset. No other information is available on the fauna.

Noteworthy flora: No information.

Scientific research and facilities: None; the area is very poorly known.

Management authority and jurisdiction: No information.

References: Evans (1994).

Reasons for inclusion: 3b (possibly also 1a & 3c). One of the few wetlands on Socotra Island, apparently important for migratory waterfowl, but poorly known.

Source: See references.

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REFERENCES