Site: Ammiq Wetland

Designation date: 16-04-1999

Coordinates: 33°46'N 35°46'E

Elevation: 865 m

Area: 280 ha

Summary description: Ammiq Wetlands. 16/04/99; 280? ha. Privately-owned. The last remaining significant wetland in the country, a remnant of much more extensive marshes and lakes that once existed in the Beqaa Valley. It remains an important staging and wintering area for migratory waterbirds en route between Europe and Africa. Reedbeds of Phragmites sp. and Typha sp. dominate, interspersed with open fields of coarse pasture. The site has been designated as an Important Bird Area: notable species include the globally threatened Black-winged Pratincole, Ferruginous Duck, White Pelican and Great Snipe. Local people and visitors from other parts of the country use the area for outdoor recreation. During the summer the site provides irrigation for the surrounding agricultural land and supports livestock grazing. Ramsar site no. 978.