Data Zone
Country/territory: Syria
IBA criteria met: B2 (1994)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 80,000 hectares (800.00 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2014 | not assessed | medium | very low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (1994 baseline)
A mesotrophic, spring-fed, natural lake (its area is variously quoted as being from 50 ha to c.800 ha) together with the surrounding 'clay' desert, c.50 km east of Al-Hasakah and between the small settlements of Khatuniyah and Al-Hul (6 km from the international border). The mean depth of the lake is or was 8 m, and the vegetation includes Tamarix. The lake is used for fishing, hunting and recreation, and the surrounding area for grazing.
Key biodiversity
See box for key species. Other breeding species include Alectoris chukar and Pterocles alchata, and small numbers of Anser albifrons and ducks are present in winter. Passage migrants include Tachybaptus ruficollis, and large numbers of Streptopelia turtur.
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Canis lupus (V), Gazella subgutturosa (rare).
Acknowledgements
Data-sheet compiled by Dr Ibrahim Hanna and Dr Amer Majid Agha (translated by S. Zaiane).
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Buhayrat al-Khatuniyah (Syria). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/buhayrat-al-khatuniyah-iba-syria on 22/12/2024.