Data Zone
Country/territory: Tunisia
IBA criteria met: A1, A4i (2001)
For more information about IBA criteria, please click here
Area: 100 ha
| IBA conservation status | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year of assessment (most recent) | State (condition) | Pressure (threat) | Response (action) |
| 2001 | unfavourable | high | negligible |
| For more information about IBA monitoring, please click here | |||
Site description (2001 baseline)
Oued Sed is a watercourse located 20 km north of Sousse. In very wet years, it is part of the outlet from Sebkhet Kelbia (site TN020) to the sea via Sebkhet Sidi Khelifa (TN016). Oued Sed receives some water in normal winters through local run-off; it also appears to be fed by local springs, since it retains water throughout the summer and the vegetation (Phragmites communis and Typha angustifolia) is characteristic of freshwater sites.
Key biodiversity
See Box for key species. Because of its freshwater character and thick vegetation, not common in central Tunisia, this small site is important for a number of breeding birds. Apart from Marmaronetta angustirostris, breeding species include Tadorna tadorna, Ixobrychus minutus, Acrocephalus arundinaceus, A. scirpaceus and, probably, Porphyrio porphyrio. Aythya nyroca has been recorded wintering in small numbers (3–10). At the end of the dry summers, large numbers of waders, notably Charadrius alexandrinus, may congregate. Located near the coast, the site also provides habitat for passage migrants.
Non-bird biodiversity: None known to BirdLife International.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Oued Sed (Tunisia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/oued-sed-iba-tunisia on 22/11/2024.