Data Zone
Country/territory: Israel
IBA criteria met: A4i, A4iv, B1i, B1iv, B2, B3 (1994)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 15,000 hectares (150.00 km2)
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2013 | not assessed | high | low |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (1994 baseline)
The area along the Rift Valley south of the Dead Sea from the Ne'ot Hakikar Nature Reserve (10 km south of Sedom, 645 ha) south to the Hazeva and Shezaf Nature Reserve (34 km south of Sedom, 1,400 ha). A flat desert area with saltflats (in the north) and low hills, dissected by wide wadis. Vegetation comprises scattered open woodland of Acacia raddiana and A. tortilis in the wadis, and scrub of Tamarix, Prosopis, Atriplex halimus, Suaeda monoecia and Alhagi maurorum. There is a little agriculture.
Key biodiversity
Large numbers of storks, raptors and Grus grus occur on passage, especially in the northern part of the site.
Non-bird biodiversity: Mammals: Pipistrellus bodenheimeri (rare endemic), Canis lupus (V), Felis margarita (rare), Caracal caracal (rare), Panthera pardus (rare), Gazella gazella (V) and G. dorcas (V). Reptiles: Varanus griseus (rare) and Uromastyx aegyptius (rare). Flora: Isatis microcarpa, Convolvulus fatmensis and Hippocrepis constricta.
Acknowledgements
Data-sheet compiled by S. Blitzblau, reviewed by R. Frumkin.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Northern Arava valley (Israel). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/northern-arava-valley-iba-israel on 23/12/2024.