Data Zone
Country/territory: Kuwait
IBA criteria met: A1, B2 (1994)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 57,500 ha
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2013 | not assessed | low | not assessed |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (1994 baseline)
The area is part of a flat, desert plateau of hard-packed gravelly sand with numerous playas, at 240 m. Its northern side is bordered by Wadi Al-Batin, where the land falls away some 45 m and is characterized by shallow, rocky gullies. The plateau is dominated by Haloxylon and, in spring and early summer, by Stipa grass. In rocky gullies Zilla is common, and many annuals flourish including Diplotaxis species. Traditionally the area has been used for grzing, hunting and recreational camping; the main economic value of the land probably lies in its underground water reserves.
Key biodiversity
See box for key species. Until overgrazing severely damaged the vegetation in the early 1980s, a representative breeding bird community occurred, comprising Cursorius cursor, Bubo ascalaphus, Athene noctua, Eremophila bilopha, Alaemon alaudipes, Ammomanes deserti, Ammomanes cincturus, Melanocorypha bimaculata and Galerida cristata. Proper management could see a return of these species.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Acknowledgements
Data-sheet compiled by Prof. C. W. T. Pilcher.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Al-Batin Park (Kuwait). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/al-batin-park-iba-kuwait on 23/11/2024.