Data Zone
The site was identified as internationally important for bird conservation in 2017 because it was regularly supporting significant populations of the species listed below, meeting ('triggering') IBA criteria.
Populations meeting IBA criteria ('trigger species') at the site:| Species | Red List | Season (year/s of estimate) | Size | IBA criteria |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asian Houbara Chlamydotis macqueenii | VU | non-breeding (2005–2016) | uncommon | A3 |
| Cream-coloured Courser Cursorius cursor | LC | breeding (2005–2016) | present | A3 |
| Pharaoh Eagle-owl Bubo ascalaphus | LC | resident (2005–2017) | 3 pairs | A3 |
| Lappet-faced Vulture Torgos tracheliotos | EN | non-breeding (2005–2016) | 10–47 birds | A1 |
| Brown-necked Raven Corvus ruficollis | LC | resident (2005–2016) | frequent | A3 |
| Greater Hoopoe-lark Alaemon alaudipes | LC | resident (2005–2016) | frequent | A3 |
| Black-crowned Sparrow-lark Eremopterix nigriceps | LC | resident (2005–2016) | frequent | A3 |
| Arabian Babbler Argya squamiceps | LC | resident (2005–2016) | frequent | A3, B2a |
Ideally the conservation status of the IBA will have been checked regularly since the site was first identified in 2017. The most recent assessment (2017) is shown below.
| IBA conservation assessment | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment | State | Pressure | Response |
| 2017 | poor | high | high |
| Whole site assessed? | State assessed by | Accuracy of information | |
| yes | habitat | poor | |
| State (condition of the trigger species' habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Habitat | Quantity (% remaining) | Quality (% carrying capacity) | Result |
| Desert | good (>90%) | poor (40–69%) | poor |
| Pressure (threats to the trigger species and/or their habitats) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Threat | Timing | Scope | Severity | Result |
| Agricultural expansion and intensification | happening now | whole of population/area (>90%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | high |
| Invasive and other problematic species and genes | happening now | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Natural system modifications | likely in short term (<4 years) | some of population/area (10–49%) | slow decline (1–10% over 3 generations) | medium |
| Response (conservation actions taken for the trigger species and/or their habitats) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Designation | Planning | Action | Result |
| Whole area (>90%) covered by appropriate conservation designation | A comprehensive and appropriate management plan exists that aims to maintain or improve the populations of qualifying bird species | The conservation measures needed for the site are being comprehensively and effectively implemented | high |
| Habitat | % of IBA | Habitat detail |
|---|---|---|
| Desert | 100 | Hot |
| Land use | % of IBA |
|---|---|
| nature conservation and research | 100 |
| tourism/recreation | major (>10) |
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Dubai Desert (United Arab Emirates). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/dubai-desert-iba-united-arab-emirates on 24/12/2024.