Current view: Text account
Site description (2017 baseline):
Site location and context
A shallow tidal inlet on the Gulf of Oman leads to a series of saline (33-44 ppt) channels fringed with mangrove woodlands of Avicennia marina. The benthic substrate of the channels comprises sandy bottoms, seagrass beds and rocky reefs with sparse coral colonies. Sub-tidal and intertidal mudflats lie adjacent to the surrounding terrestrial habitat of saltmarsh (with associated halophytic plant communities), low sand dunes and sandy beach.
Arabian Collared Kingfishers within the UAE only breed at Khor Kalba. Although a sub-species, it is the only representative population of the birds in the UAE. IUCN list the global population trend as decreasing. Socotra cormorants use the beaches and offshore of Khor Kalba for passage, foraging and resting.
During the past 10 years 138 species have been recorded at the location. In addition to Arabian Collared Kingfisher, Khor Kalba is the only location in the UAE where Sykes Warbler (Iduna rana) is resident. Another species of interest is Eurasian Curlew (Numenius arquata) listed as Near Threatened by IUCN. The location is resident to, or provides passage to numerous species listed on the Convention of Migratory Species Appendix 2, including Bar-tailed Godwit, Black-winged Stilt, Common Greenshank, Common Redshank, Greater Flamingo and Kentish Plover.
Other biodiversity: The location is especially biodiverse, a likely manifestation of the diversity of habitats that characterise the site. Mammal species include Sand Gazelle, Red Fox and numerous small mammals. Eighteen species of reptile have been recorded at the site, including an abundance of Green Turtles (Chelonia mydas - IUCN Endangered). Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata - IUCN Critically Endangered) and Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea - IUCN Vulnerable) turtles have also been recorded at Khor Kalba. It is the only recorded location for Blanford's Fringe-toed Gecko (Acanthodactylus blanfordii) on the UAE east coast. Biodiversity surveys are currently quantifying the particular richness of invertebrates (18 species of crabs currently identified) and fish species.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
The location faces intense pressure from urban development in the adjacent areas - and requests to re-open for public recreation. A portion of the mangroves extending into Oman has largely died off due to construction activities. Additional threats include an aquaculture facility built adjacent the site (and requests for more aquaculture/agriculture initiatives), and all of the sabkha flats outside the protected area are earmarked for residential and light industrial development. A shopping mall is proposed to be built adjacent to the protected area while there are also requests to develop landscaped public-access picnic sites. Oil spills on the ocean side continue to pose a significant threat to the beach and mangrove ecology. Mechanisms and barriers have been instigated by the EPAA to reduce the impact of these events. The threat posed to fish stocks within the protected area from adjacent fishing is not yet quantified. Unrestricted beach driving by various management entities remain a concern to sandy beach biodiversity.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
The location has been incorporated into the larger protected area AlQurm wa Leehhfaiiah which has afforded the site protection from unrestricted recreational driving and fishing/crab hunting. The area was fenced to enable more rigorous enforcement of this exclusion until such a time as the site will be open for public access under controlled conditions. This has allowed for natural recovery of the damaged habitats, particularly the low sand dunes. There appears (anecdotal evidence) to be a rebound of crab abundance in response to the reduced extraction pressure. Arabian collared kingfisher surveys are conducted annually during the breeding season and general bird richness surveys are performed periodically. There are ongoing biodiversity surveys focusing on fish and marine/mangal invertebrates. Plans are in draft to allow closely managed recreational activities that highlight the diversity and conservation significance of Khor Kalba. A luxury tented tourist camp has been constructed adjacent to the site.
Data-sheet compiled by: Brendan Whittington-Jones, John Pereira and Fatima Ahmed Hassan (EPAA).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Alqurm Wa Lehfeiyah (Khor Kalba) (United Arab Emirates). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/alqurm-wa-lehfeiyah-(khor-kalba)-iba-united-arab-emirates on 23/12/2024.
