Al Wathba


IBA Justification

The site was identified as important in 2017 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.

Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species'):
Species Current IUCN Red List Category Season Year(s) Population estimate at site IBA criteria met
Greater Flamingo Phoenicopterus roseus LC winter 2002-2017 4,000 individuals B3a
Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus LC non-breeding 2002-2017 50-975 individuals B3a
Kentish Plover Charadrius alexandrinus LC winter 2002-2017 50-1,275 individuals B3a

The current IUCN Red List category may differ from that which was valid at the time of IBA criteria assessment (2017).


IBA Conservation

IBA conservation assessment
Year of assessment (most recent) State (condition) Pressure (threat) Response (action)
2017 favourable low medium
Was the whole site assessed? State assessed by Accuracy of information
yes population medium

State (condition of the trigger species' populations)
Scientific name Common name Reference population Actual population Units % of population remaining Result
Phoenicopterus roseus Greater Flamingo 2400 4000 individuals 100 favourable
Himantopus himantopus Black-winged Stilt 460 80 individuals 18 not assessed
Charadrius alexandrinus Kentish Plover 500 650 individuals 100 favourable

Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Threat level 1 Threat level 2 Timing Scope Severity Result
Invasive and other problematic species and genes invasive non-native/alien species/diseases - named species happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low
Invasive and other problematic species and genes problematic native species/diseases - named species happening now small area/few individuals (<10%) slow but significant deterioration low

Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats)
Protected-area designation Management planning Other conservation action Result
Whole area of site (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation No management plan exists but the management planning process has begun Substantive conservation measures are being implemented but these are not comprehensive and are limited by resources and capacity medium
For more information about IBA conservation status, please click here

IBA Protection

Protected area (PA) PA designation PA area (ha) Relationship of PA with IBA Overlap of PA with IBA (ha)
Al Wathba Ramsar Site, Wetland of International Importance 455 is identical to site 500

Habitats

Habitat (IUCN level 1) Habitat detail Extent (% of site)
Artificial/Aquatic & Marine Waste-water treatment areas -
For more information about the IUCN Habitat classification, please click here.

Land use

Land-use Extent (% of site)
nature conservation and research -


Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2023) Important Bird Area factsheet: Al Wathba. Downloaded from http://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/al-wathba-iba-united-arab-emirates on 02/10/2023.